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The young divers went below and attached their chaines to 
sunken U-13. 


Boy Scouts in the North Sea. 


BOY SCOUTS 
IN THE NORTH SEA 

OR 

“The Mystery of a Sub” 


BY 

G. HARVEY RALPHSON 



MADE IN U. S. A 


M A. DONOHUE & COMPANY 

CHICAGO new YORK 




CJOPYRIGHT, 1915, 

BY 

M. A, Donohue & Co., Cmcmo 




ft 


rj 2^‘ir'j ' 


Made in U. S. A. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I — A Package Vanishes 7 

II — Difficulties and Danger 18 

III — The Man with the Scar 30 

IV — The Lena Knobloch 42 

V — Two Mysterious Changes 54 

VI — A Difficult Departure 65 

VII — A Warning from the Sea 76 

VIII — More About the ‘‘U-13^’ 87 

IX — A Strange Visit 98 

X — Shipwreck and Rescue 109 

XI — A Fleet of Submarines 120 

XII— A New ‘‘U-13^’ Appears 131 

XIII — A Threatening Situation 142 

XIV — Helped by an Enemy 153 

XV — Mistaken Identity 165 

XVI — A Strange Discovery 176 

XVII — Alone and Helpless 187 

XVIII — Help from a Stranger 198 

XIX — Mackinder Again 209 

XX — A Mysterious Craft 221 

XXI — A Mystery Explained 232 

XXII — More Mystery 240 

XXIII— The Mystery op the “U-13'’ 246 




Boy Scouts in the North Sea; 

or, 

"The Mystery of a Sub^^ 


CHAPTER I 

A PACKAGE VANISHES 

‘^Good night!’’ exclaimed a lad of about 
eighteen peering from the window in a rail- 
way coach. “This train’s running on a regu- 
lar lake!” 

“What’s that, Jimmie?” asked a com- 
panion approaching the first speaker. “Are 
we on a ferry? I still feel the wheels hit the 
rail joints.” 

“Oh, yes, now and again we crawl along a 
rail’s length or two,” admitted the boy, “but 
it’s mighty slow work! I’m getting tired!” 

“What place is this, anyway?” inquired a 
third boy coming to the window. “It looks as 
if we’re going out into the ocean!” 

“We can’t be headed for Holland at this 
rate!” 

“We surely are!” assured the one addressed 
as Jimmie. “I’ll bet I can tell you what that 


8 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


is! The Belgians cut their dikes and flooded 
the country to drive out the Germans. My 
dream book says that’s it!” 

A general laugh greeted this assertion. 
Moving about in the limits of the none too 
commodious compartment of a European rail- 
way carriage four boys dressed in the well- 
known khaki uniforms of the Boy Scouts of 
America endeavored to observe the scenery 
through the windows. 

To those of our readers who have followed 
the adventures of this group of boys as re- 
lated in the previous volumes of this series no 
introduction is necessary. However, for the 
beneflt of those who have not been so fortu- 
nate, a word of explanation may not be out 
of place at this time. The lads had very re- 
cently been engaged in a man hunt that led 
through parts of France and Belgium. They 
had visited the trenches of both the French 
and German forces and had several times 
faced death. 

Just now they were practically prisoners, 
having been accorded passage from the Ger- 
man lines to a neutral port in Holland, where 
they expected to take ship for their home town 
of New York. 

Ned Nestor, a flne, manly lad, was the 
Leader of the Wolf Patrol of New York City, 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


9 


Boy Scouts of America. He had been often 
selected for difficult work by the Chief of the 
United States Secret Service because of his 
aptitude for the work. His coolness and 
sound judgment had carried himself and his 
companions through many difficulties. It was 
a mission of this character upon which the 
boys had recently engaged and from which 
they were now returning. 

Jimmie McGraw, freckle-faced and red- 
headed, was a member of the Wolf Patrol of 
which Ned was leader. He was an ardent 
adherent of Ned’s. Brought up a newsboy 
on the Bowery of New York the boy had come 
under the observation of the older lad, who 
had found him indeed worthy of all the care 
which had been bestowed. 

Jack Bosworth, the son of a prominent cor- 
poration attorney, and Harry Stevens, whose 
father was a well-known automobile manu- 
facturer, were the other members of the group. 
These latter two were members of the Black 
Bear Patrol of New York. All the lads ap- 
peared to be about eighteen years old. Their 
tidy uniforms, their well-knit frames and their 
alert attitudes bespoke the constant training 
of their leader. 

As they looked from the windows of the 
car in which they now found themselves they 


10 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


discovered that the situation was even as Jim- 
mie had stated. The country was flooded with 
water released from the dikes. 

^^Tell you what/’ declared Jack Bosworth, 
after a prolonged inspection of the landscape, 
if it may be so called, ‘Hhis is some wet!” 

^‘You win the argument,” announced Jim- 
mie, wrinkling his freckled nose at his com- 
panion. ‘‘I always said you were the wise lit- 
tle fox!” 

Jack’s answer to this pleasantry was an 
attempt to box the younger lad’s ears. Jim- 
mie’s resentment of the procedure drew the 
others into a friendly scuffle that terminated 
only when the contestants paused for breath. 

wish they’d hurry up and let us get onto 
dry land again!” said Jimmie, when he next 
found himself able to draw a long breath. 

^‘You won’t find much dry land when it 
rains like it’s going to right now!” stated 
Harry, pointing out of the window. Watch 
it come down!” 

hope they don’t get to the border while it 
rains like this,” answered Ned, wdth an invol- 
untary shiver. don’t fancy standing out 
in such a drizzle as this appears to be. We’d 
be wet through in no time!” 

‘‘Why, do they make us get out?” queried 
Harry. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


11 


‘'Yes, I understand from what the officer 
said back there at the old castle that we’ll be 
searched body, boots and baggage.” 

“And what if they find something they don’t 
like?” 

“Perhaps they’ll put us in jail for a few 
months or until the war has ceased,” replied 
Ned. “I’m sure I don’t know what they’ll 
do.” 

“Br-r-rh!” shivered Jimmie. “I wouldn’t 
turn our old friend The Rat out into a rain 
like this! That would be cruelty to animals!”’ 

“Small chance anyone’ll have to turn him 
out now!” spoke up Jack. “That dynamite 
fixed him so he won’t be turned out for some 
time!” 

“Don’t speak of it, boys,” protested Ned. 
“I see him yet!” 

“Let’s change the subject,” proposed 
Jimmie, out of consideration for his chum’s^ 
feelings. “I think I see some land. Can 
we be coming to the border I wonder? I 
hope we are and that we can soon be start- 
ing home!” 

“Train’s slackening speed,” announced 
Harry. “They’re stopping!” 

It was even as the boy had said. With many 
a bump and groan of grinding brakes the train 
crawled to a standstill beside a hut built upon 


12 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


a rise of ground. Here was stationed a force 
of soldiers detailed to the work of searching 
and examining all who attempted to pass from 
Belgium to Holland. Those who were not cer- 
tified as refugees or in other ways vested with 
proper authority to pass were promptly re- 
jected and turned back. 

A guard came running along the foot board 
opening doors. He shouted instructions to 
the inmates of the carriages, who promptly 
began scrambling out of the uncomfortable 
cars. All baggage was placed along the track 
to facilitate examination. The train itself was 
searched. 

Gesticulating and conversing rapidly two 
soldiers approached the little group of Boy 
Scouts. Apparently an argument of some sort 
was in progress, but the boys could not deter- 
mine the nature of it. 

One of the men pointed to the uniforms and 
to the medals upon the sleeves of the boys’ 
jackets. Gradually his companion seemed to 
be convinced by the fiow of words. At length 
he nodded his head, as if surrendering his last 
doubts. The two men fell to examining the 
luggage. 

‘‘Go as far as you like. Old Scout!” scorned 
Jimmie, as he observed the rough manner in 
which his belongings were being tossed about. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


13 


bet I’d punch your dome a little, though, 
if you could talk English!” 

^‘Ah, ha!” cried one of the soldiers, tapping 
his comrade on the shoulder, as if his argu- 
ment had been conclusively supported. ‘‘An- 
glaise!” 

A torrent of words from the other seemed to 
meet a receptive ear. The first speaker nodded 
energetically. His satisfaction was all too evi- 
dent. From his appearance he was expecting 
nothing short of a medal. 

‘‘Judging from their motions,” Jimmie re- 
marked, “these two fellows are about to fight 
a duel. I’ll bet on the shorter one!” 

“Not much!” declared Harry. “They’re 
merely telling one another what a nice day it 
was yesterday and how fine the weather’ll be 
when it clears up. They are using the sign 
language, that’s all!” 

“Don’t you kid yourself!” protested Jim- 
mie, uneasily. “I smell Old Man Trouble 
coming around the corner right now!” 

“Go on, Jimmie!” scorned Jack. “You’re 
dreaming again!” 

“I know I am!” replied the younger lad. 
“Last night I dreamed of eating salt mackerel 
and my dream book says that means trouble!” 

“Here they come now!” cautioned Ned. 
“Hush a minute, boys!” 


14 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


Addressing the boys in German the soldier 
was evidently asking some question which de- 
manded an answer. Ned as spokesman shook 
his head. The other soldier spoke rapidly in 
the French language. 

‘^Excuse me, gentlemen,’’ Ned said, lifting 
a protesting hand, ‘‘we cannot understand the 
language you are using. We speak only Eng- 
lish!” 

“Ah, ha! Anglaise!” cried the soldier, ges- 
ticulating. 

“There, you put your foot in it!” declared 
Jimmie. “Why didn’t you say : ‘ Come across 
with some good old United States, Bo’?” 

“They probably don’t understand your 
slang, Jimmie!” replied Ned. 

“So-o-o,” exclaimed one of the men in poor 
English, “you speak English, do you? And 
from what part of England do you come?” 

“We are not from England at all,” ex- 
plained Ned, “but from the United States. 
We are being sent home by the kindness of a 
German officer, who has been most consider- 
ate. See, here are our passports!” 

“Bah!” scornfully protested the man. 
“Passports are most easily forged. And in- 
formation may be carried still more easily!” 

“But I assure you,” continued Ned, “we 
are speaking the truth!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


15 


^ ^ So say all spies ! ’ ’ replied the other. ‘ ‘ We 
shall see for ourselves just what information 
you have in your possessions!’’ 

‘^Go as far as you like,” replied Ned, some- 
what nettled at the soldier’s insolence. “You 
won’t find a thing that shouldn’t be there!” 

One of the men was already bending over 
the bags containing such articles as the boys 
had deemed necessary for their trip. With- 
out regard for the owners’ rights he was 
rapidly taking out every piece separately. 
After carefully examining it he threw the 
article on the ground. He was evidently an- 
noyed at not finding something incriminating. 

Submitting to the search with poorly con- 
cealed dislike of the man and his methods, the 
boys waited with what patience they could 
muster until the ordeal should be ended. Ned 
endeavored to distract their thoughts by com- 
menting on the others, who were meeting simi- 
lar treatment. 

He was interrupted by an exclamation of 
delight from the searcher. 

“Ah!” cried that worthy, standing upright. 
“Nothing contraband! Nothing to be con- 
cealed! No information! These are not 
spies!” 

He held in his hand a fiat packet wrapped 
in heavy oiled silk, tied with many wrap- 


16 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


pings of stout twine and sealed carefully 
with wax. 

‘^Gather your possessions quickly and fol- 
low me!” commanded the soldier trium- 
phantly, drawing a revolver. ‘^We shall visit 
the commander!” 

‘‘What is that thing and where did it come 
from?” questioned Ned. 

“Search me!” declared Jimmie, excitedly. 
“Maybe this gink had it up his little sleeve 
and dropped it in there at the right minute!” 

“He looks equal to it!” stated Jack stoutly. 
“He^s a villain!” 

“Better be careful what you say!” cautioned 
Ned. “We are not out of the woods, and these 
fellows understand English pretty well!” 

“I wish I had my automatic and about ten 
yards start!” stormed Jimmie, gathering up 
wearing apparel and jamming it into his kit. 
“I could beat that slow-footed camel in a 
straightaway without half trying!” 

“Better wait and see it out,” advised Ned, 
replacing his own belongings. “It’s only a 
mistake and can surely be explained.” 

“Maybe we can be examined and go ahead 
on this same train,” offered Jack consolingly. 
“Anyhow, we won’t gain anything by arguing 
with these fellows. They have no sense of 
humor and don’t want one!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


17 


Following their two captors the lads trudged 
down the track toward the hut. Carefully 
they picked their way between groups of 
genuine refugees rearranging their meagre 
possessions in the coaches. 

In a short time the boys were duly pre- 
sented before a gray-haired officer seated at a 
table placed against the wall of the hut. It 
was darker in the room than out of doors. A 
single oil lamp served to dispel the gathering 
gloom of the early twilight. 

Reporting volubly in German, with many 
gesticulations, the soldier presented the four 
boys. At the conclusion of his recital he laid 
the parcel upon the table. Drawing himself 
to his full height and assuming a tragic air 
he surveyed his captives with complacency. 

‘‘Look at that mark!’’ whispered Jimmie 
hoarsely. “What is it?” 

“It says ‘U-13’ as plainly as the freckles on 
your nose,” replied Harry, who stood nearest 
the table. “I don’t know what it means!” 

A challenge from the sentry at the door 
drew the attention of those within the hut. 
For a moment every eye turned toward the 
entrance. 

Ever on the alert, Jimmie saw a hand thrust 
through the open window. It seized the pack- 
age and noiselessly disappeared. 


18 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER II 

DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS 

Finding that the disturbance had been 
caused by the approach of one of the refugees, 
who demanded an audience with the com- 
mander, but who had quickly been satisfied by 
the explanation of the sentry, the officer again 
gave his attention to the group before him. 

^‘Proceed!’’ he ordered. ‘‘You may speak 
English for the benefit of thes6 yoimg gentle- 
men. Let us have the story, now!’’ 

“Myself and my comrade searched the bag- 
gage of these fellows,” began the soldier, di- 
recting a contemptuous glance at the boys. 
“When we reached the kit of that one there,” 
here he pointed at Ned, “we discovered what 
seemed to us to be suspicious goods. Here 
it is — !” 

A gasp of astonishment terminated the 
triumphant recital. 

“Go on!” ordered the officer without emo- 
tion. 

“But a moment ago the package was lying 
on your table!” almost shouted the soldier. 
“Now it is gone!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


19 


I perceive!” replied the officer. “If 
you have evidence, please produce it. Other- 
wise I shall examine the passports of the 
young gentlemen, and if they are found cor- 
rect I shall permit them to depart.” 

He reached out a hand for the passports, 
which were quickly presented. After a minute 
scrutiny and careful comparison of descrip- 
tions he returned them to the lads. Again he 
turned to the soldier. 

“Have you any evidence of their guilt?” he 
inquired. 

“I believe they have stolen the package!” 
stormed the soldier. 

“Search them!” commanded the officer. 
“With respect!” he added. 

During the hasty but thorough search of the 
lads’ clothing Jimmie grinned maliciously into 
the faces of the soldiers. His delight knew no 
bounds. Their discomfiture upon failing to 
find the package was exceeded only by the de- 
light of the lad, who prudently held his own 
counsel. 

“There must have been a mistake!” at 
length declared the officer impatiently. “We 
cannot delay the train longer. Permit them to 
proceed!” 

“But I swear I discovered in their luggage a 
suspicious parcel ! ’ ’ 


20 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NOETH SEA; 


is not here! The young gentlemen do 
not seem to have it! In the face of their ap- 
parently correct passports and this courteous 
request from their friend, von Moltke, I am 
not justified in holding them longer! Young 
men, you may resume your journey!’’ 

Thanking the officer in grateful acknowl- 
edgment of his courtesy the lads again found 
their compartment. Scarcely had they re- 
gained their former position before the train 
again began to move. 

“Now, Ned,” began Harry, as the wheels 
once more clicked over the rail joints, “pro- 
duce ! Let ’s have the secret ! ’ ’ 

^ ^ Produce nothing ! ’ ’ declared Ned. “I have 
nothing to produce!” 

“The package, man, the mysterious package 
of contraband spy literature!” demanded 
Harry in a serious tone. “What secrets are 
you carrying out of this country to help the 
English?” 

“I tell you I have nothing at all! I don’t 
know what that package contained, nor do I 
know where it came from!” 

‘ ^ That ’s all right, too ! ” declared J ack. ^ ‘ But 
where did it go to so suddenly? That’s the 
interesting part! What did you do with it?” 

“Honestly, boys,” protested Ned, “I 
haven’t got it. I saw that fellow fish it out of 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


21 


my kit. I saw him put it on the table. When 
I turned back after glancing at the door the 
package was gone!” 

‘‘We know that!” continued Harry. “Now^ 
who took it?” 

“I’d give a good deal to know that myself!” 
declared Ned. 

“Just how much would you give?” queried 
Jimmie from his seat in a comer from whence 
he had been listening. “Id like to make a 
stake!” 

“Jimmie pinched it!” cried Harry, pounc- 
ing upon his comrade. 

“Deliver that package!” shouted Jack, go- 
ing to the assistance of his chum. “Search 
him, Ned!” he continued, as Jimmie was 
dragged to his feet. “Go through him care- 
fully while we hold him.” 

“Go as far as you like,” grinned Jimmie 
t easingly. “ It ’s not here ! ’ ’ 

“Where is it, Jimmie?” questioned Ned, 
seriously, “let’s have it!” 

“I tell you I haven’t got it!” declared Jim- 
mie, still grinning. “But I saw it when it 
disappeared and I know where it went!” 

“Hurry up!” shouted Jack, impatiently. 
“Say something!” 

“It went out of the window of the shanty!” 
declared Jimmie. 


22 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Aw, go on!’’ scorned Harry. “Just 
jumped up and flew away!” 

With a laugh Jimmie then related what he 
had seen at the moment when all the other 
occupants of the hut had been giving their 
attention to the disturbance at the front door. 
The tale astonished his chums. 

“I saw the hand as plainly as I see my 
own!” declared Jimmie, holding his hand up 
to the light of the single oil lamp. “It was 
the hand of a gentleman, I should say. I mean 
by that, it was soft and well kept — ^not hard 
and calloused. The peculiar mark by which I 
shall know it again if I see it was a scar ex- 
tending clear across the back. I somehow 
connected that scar with a saber or sword cut. 
It was an ugly wound.” 

“Did you see anything of the man?” asked 
Ned, eagerly. 

“No, I wasn’t turned far enough and I 
didn’t dare move,” replied Jimmie. “All at 
once I seemed to comprehend that the thief 
was saving us a lot of troublesome delay, and 
I just let him make his getaway without rais- 
ing a holler! I thought he was helping us as 
well as himself!” 

“I think we ought to vote Jimmie a credit 
mark!” declared Ned. 

“He certainly exercised wonderful self-con- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


23 


trol in not making a noise at a critical time,” 
added Jack. ‘‘I wonder, now, if the chap at 
the door made the disturbance to assist the 
other fellow in grabbing the parcel. It would 
almost seem as if they were working to- 
gether!” 

‘‘It does seem like that!” stated Ned, 
thoughtfully. “But what puzzles me most is 
the fact that the package was in our bag- 
gage!” 

“I wonder what on earth could have been 
in the old ‘U-13’!” 

But ponder and speculate as they might the 
lads were unable to arrive at a solution of the 
mysterious presence and disappearance of the 
package bearing the curious mark. Weary 
with the exertion of attempting to solve the 
problem the boys at length composed them- 
selves for sleep. 

Mile after mile the train bumped jerkily 
along the uneven track. Occasionally a guard 
opened the door to scrutinize the compart- 
ment, but upon finding the little party at rest 
he again proceeded to his duties. 

Gradually the train drew away from the 
inundated section. To the southward, whence 
they had come, the boys were leaving the scene 
of the mighty conflict, the like of which his- 
tory had never seen. Behind them were the 


24 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


trenches filled with soldiers — some happy and 
gay even in the presence of death, others dis- 
heartened and downcast. There, too, they 
were leaving the great cannon with their roar- 
ing, screaming shells, the vicious crack of 
rifles and the wasp-like singing of bullets. 

Before them in fancy they saw a great ship 
upon which they would take passage to the 
peace and quietness of their own country. 
Their dreams were filled with scenes of New 
York and their beloved club room, hung with 
trophies of the prowess of the members of 
their patrol. 

At Amsterdam they would embark speedily, 
and after a week or ten days of ocean travel 
would see again the Goddess of Liberty hold- 
ing up to the world a beacon to guide their 
ships into a haven of peace aand plenty. 

Could the boys have pierced the veil and 
looked upon the scenes through which they 
were soon to pass their rest that night might 
not have been so tranquil, their dreams would 
perhaps have been less pleasant. 

Thanks to the consideration extended them 
at the instance of their friend, von Moltke, 
the German officer in whose charge they had 
been placed during the last exciting scenes of 
their stay in the war zone, the lads had been 
accorded the privilege of a whole compart- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


25 


ment. Due to this fact they found room in 
which to stretch out as they slept. This ex- 
ceptional advantage was fully appreciated. 

Toward morning the boys were awakened 
by the bustle surrounding the arrival of the 
train at Utrecht. At this point another pas- 
senger was thrust unceremoniously into the 
compartment. After performing this duty 
the guard hastened away to perform similar 
services for others. 

“Good morning, gentlemen,” said the new- 
comer pleasantly. 

“Top of the morning to you!” smiled Jim- 
mie, rising and endeavoring to smooth out the 
wrinkles in his uniform. “How’s the weather 
outside^” 

“Clearing rapidly, but there’s promise of 
some wind,” replied the newcomer. “May I 
ask how far you are going'?” 

“New York!” declared Jimmie with a grin. 
“That is,” he added, “if this old ark holds 
together until we get to Amsterdam and we 
can find a ship there. It would be just our 
luck to find the last canal boat gone!” 

“Been having tough luck*?” inquired the 
other solicitously. 

“Eotten!” stated the boy. “How far do 
you go?” he asked. 

“Amsterdam is my present destination,” 


26 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NOETH SEA; 


was the reply. ‘ ‘ My name ’s Mackinder — Rob- 
ert Mackinder, and I’m trying to get out of 
this forsaken country, don’t you know. I’m 
in hopes I’ll be able to find some craft destined 
to a point where I’ll be able to get home.” 

Introductions of the four lads followed. 
Mackinder proved himself an entertaining 
talker. Listening to his tales of adventure 
in various lands the boys were soon at ease. 
The man apparently had traveled over the 
whole world for he seemed familiar with all 
iands. 

say,” declared Jimmie, as their new 
found friend concluded a tale of privation 
through which he had passed in South Africa, 
‘^that story of starvation reminds me that I 
am hungry. I haven’t eaten in a week!” 

‘^Jimmie, Jimmie!” cautioned Ned. ‘‘Get 
down to recent dates!” 

“Well, it feels that way, anyhow,” persisted 
the boy. 

“Can you tell us where we’ll be able to find 
a lunch counter"?” asked Ned. “We have 
nothing in our kits except some hard tack.” 

“There is no place short of Amsterdam 
where one can get anything like a decent 
meal,” replied Mackinder. “There I can 
show you the way to a restaurant that is all 
right. It is not far from the docks.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


27 


‘^Then we’ll get one good, solid, square 
meal!” shouted Jimmie. 

And after breakfast,” put in Harry, ‘‘we’ll 
go aboard the steamer and let ’em sail as soon 
as they like! Wbat shall we eat?” 

“I want a limburger cheese sandwich,” an- 
nounced Jimmie. “I’d like it to be on rye 
bread with plenty of mustard. Then with a 
couple of cups of real old Dutch coffee I guess- 
I’d last until noon.” 

“By noon we’ll be out on the North Sea, I 
hope,” stated Harry. 

“You don’t get onto the North Sea direct 
from Amsterdam!” scorned Jack. “You have 
to go through some sort of lake or bay first!” 

“Leave it to Mr. Mackinder here!” pro- 
tested Harry. 

“Your friend is right, Harry,” smiled 
Mackinder, thus appealed to. “Amsterdam 
is on the Zuider Zee. If we get a vessel at 
that place we will pass northward through 
that water, thence between some of the Frie- 
sian Islands into the North Sea. From that 
point it is but a short distance to my destina- 
tion. Any port in England will be suitable 
for my purpose.” 

“Nix on England for mine!” declared Jim- 
mie. “I’m for the little old United States- 
every time. We are neutral there without 


28 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


having to think about it. I’m about done with 
war. I’ve seen enough!” 

‘‘Too much is plenty, as the Dutchman 
says,” put in Harry. “But about this Am- 
sterdam place, now. Do you know the town, 
Mr. Mackinder?” 

“Indeed I do!” was the reply, “I have 
been there many times.” 

“Then perhaps you’d be good enough to 
give us a little help. You see, we’re strangers 
there and since we’ve lost our airship we’re 
almost helpless. We’re not accustomed to 
tinding our way about where the inhabitants 
don’t speak English. Besides, we’re not pro- 
vided with a map.” 

“I shall be delighted to help you in any way 
possible,” continued the man. “I think that 
if you follow me you’ll have little trouble.” 

The lads gladly availed themselves of this 
offer, and shortly after their arrival at the 
city they found themselves in a room plainly 
but comfortably furnished. From their win- 
dows they could see the shipping in the har- 
bor. Before them a busy street teemed with 
traffic. 

Watching the strange sights below the boys 
were startled to hear: 

“I’ll trouble you now for the ‘U-13’ pack- 
age!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


29 


Wheeling quickly they were frightened to 
observe that Mackinder had them covered 
with a revolver. His look was stern and de- 
termined. 


30 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER III 

THE MAN WITH THE SCAR 

^‘What package is it you wantT^ inquired 
Ned in amazement as he saw that Mackinder 
evidently intended to enforce his demand at 
all costs. 

shall countenance no delay!” spoke the 
man sharply. ‘‘You may step to your luggage 
there and produce that package instantly. If 
you refuse I shall summon assistance and it 
will be taken forcibly.” 

“You have the wrong pig by the ear this 
time, partner!” put in Jimmie. “Just put Up 
your little cannon. It won’t do you any good 
here.” 

“Enough!” snapped Mackinder. “You will 
gain nothing by attempting such methods. I 
am not to be balked by trivialities!” 

“Well, Boss,” smiled Jimmie, “we haven’t 
got any ‘U-13’ package and we haven’t got 
any of those other things, either!” 

“I warn you,” went on Mackinder in a 
menacing tone, “it has become known to the 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


31 


authorities that you have this package. I have 
been commissioned to secure it. If you sur- 
render it before leaving this country you will 
lose nothing. If you refuse it will be taken 
by force. In that case you need not expect to 
receive any degree of clemency in the mat- 
ter!” 

^^Mr. Mackinder,” began Ned with dignity, 
‘^we don’t understand what you mean. If you 
intend to infer that we have some mysterious 
package that we should not have you are not 
fair to us. Perhaps you would like to examine 
our luggage and be sure it is not there.” 

< < Y ery well, ’ ’ stated Mackinder grimly. ^ ‘ If 
you insist.” 

Keeping the revolver leveled in the direc- 
tion of the group the man stepped to the side 
of the room. He grasped the old-fashioned 
bell-pull. In answer to his summons steps 
were heard approaching the door. 

‘^Ah, there you are, Norton,” sighed 
Mackinder in a relieved tone as a man in uni- 
form appeared. ‘‘Just keep an eye on these 
chaps, will you. I’m going through their lug- 
gage. Look sharp, now!” 

From Norton’s appearance the boys judged 
that the task was much to his liking. He fin- 
gered a wicked looking revolver, as if an- 
ticipating trouble and hoping that would come 


32 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


quickly. His maimer was that of an eager 
hunting dog scenting game and only waiting 
a command to attack. 

Thinking it best to offer no resistance and 
understanding that arguments would not avail 
under the present circumstances Ned seated 
himself in a convenient chair. He began to 
divert the minds of his comrades by talking 
of the shipping and the traffic which they 
could see. 

Hastily Mackinder tossed the luggage about 
in his efforts to locate the article he sought. 
Finally he turned to Ned. 

Where have you concealed it?’’ he asked 
with some display of anger. 

‘‘Concealed what?” asked Ned impatiently. 
“I tell you, Mr. Mackinder, I don’t like this 
idea of your holding us up in this manner 
without apparent authority. You are impos- 
ing on good nature!” 

“Perhaps I have been a little hasty,” stated 
Mackinder, “but I have been commissioned 
to secure a certain package which is alleged to 
contain information vital to two countries. It 
may possibly concern more. You are said to 
have had possession of this package at the 
time you left the castle in Flanders. Where 
is it now?” 

“Do you mean the flat package the soldier 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


3a 


found in our baggage at the frontier where 
we were searched inquired Jimmie. 

‘‘No doubt it is the same one,” stated 
Mackinder. 

“Then,” declared the boy, pointing at 
Mackinder’s hand, “I have every reason to 
believe that you know more about the where- 
abouts of that package than do we. I recog- 
nize that peculiar scar on your hand!” 

Quick glances of inquiry were directed by 
the boys at the hand toward which Jimmie 
was pointing. It bore a scar running clear 
across the back — an ugly, jagged scar that 
they had heard Jimmie describe. 

“What did you mean by coming here and 
trying to throw a bluff into us about the pack- 
age still being in our kits when you yourself 
took it from the table in the hut?” demanded 
Jimmie aggressively. 

“You’re mistaken, boys, I don’t know what 
you’re talking about!” 

“Then you’ve got a mighty poor memory!” 
declared the lad. 

“Mr. Mackinder,” Ned said in a low tone 
vibrant with indignation, “if you’ve quite sat- 
isfied yourself that we have not got the pack- 
age you seem to be seeking we’ll excuse you. 
We don’t want your company any more, and 


M 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


we shall try to proceed upon our journey 
ulone.” 

‘‘But, see here, boys — ” Mackinder at- 
tempted to explain. 

“Not another word!” cried Ned rising. 
“There is the door and you are at liberty to 
use it quickly. You are welcome to the pack- 
age!” 

“You will find out later on,” Mackinder 
said, as he started to leave the room in com- 
pany with Norton, “that IVe been trying to 
help you out of mighty suspicious circum- 
stances. You are ungrateful ! ’ ’ 

“Good-bye!” called out Jimmie. “Don’t 
slam the door!” 

For a moment the boys gazed at one another 
in amazement after the two men had left the 
room. They were excited and puzzled. 

“Well, this is a stunner!” declared Ned at 
length. 

“Who is this Mackinder, who is Norton, 
what is in this ‘tJ-13’ package that he wants, 
how did it get into our baggage, why was it 
put there, where are we going, when do we 
^at?” demanded Jimmie in a breath. 

“That’s the way to talk, Jimmie!” cried 
Harry, laughing in spite of the situation that 
the boys all felt to be a serious one. 

“The last question is the most important!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


35 


stated Jack. ‘‘I’m in favor of the eats part 
and that without further delay.” 

“Come on, boys,” suggested Ned. “Let’s 
eat first and talk things over afterward. I’m 
nearly famished myself, and Jimmie is hun- 
gry, too!” 

In a short time the lads were seated in a 
quaint restaurant ordering strange dishes. 
They were hungry, as only healthy, active 
boys can be. The food was well cooked and 
appetizing. They ate heartily. 

“Now, I’m in favor of getting to the docks 
as quick as possible,” announced Jimmie, 
pushing his plate away. “Let’s get our pas- 
sage settled.” 

All were in favor of this arrangement. 
After paying for their breakfast the lads set 
out in search of a ship upon which they might 
secure passage to the United States. But they 
were not to secure this easily. 

Extended inquiry during the forenoon 
elicited the information that there was no ves- 
sel clearing from the port of Amsterdam for 
any place in America. Although they made 
every effort to find a steamer which would 
afford them the accommodations they sought 
none was found. 

Inquiry at the railway station disclosed the 
fact that their airship, the Grey Eagle, now 


36 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEAj 


dismantled and packed in boxes, was at the 
freight sheds waiting a claimant. Until they 
could find a vessel to carry it home the boys 
preferred to let it remain in its present loca- 
tion. 

After dinner they continued their inquiries 
for a vessel. At length they learned of a full- 
rigged three-masted ship that was to clear in 
a few days for New York. Eegretting even 
this short delay the lads decided to attempt to 
secure passage, although the journey would 
be a long one. 

Ned secured the services of a boatman, who 
offered to row them out to the ship, which lay 
at anchor in the harbor. The man charged 
them what the boys considered an extraor- 
dinary price for the service, but explained 
that the weather was unfavorable and that at 
any moment a storm might break. To this 
the boys could but agree. A glance at the sky 
convinced them that a storm of rather unusual 
violence was gathering. 

‘‘Take him up, anyhow, Nedl^’ urged Harry. 
“We want to get home!’’ 

“All right, then, here goes!” declared Ned, 
stepping aboard the waterman’s craft. “Pull 
away, my friend, we’re all aboard.” 

In a short time the man was threading his 
way amongst the shipping in the harbor. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


37 


From their position so low upon the water the 
masts and spars of the vessels looked to be of 
extraordinary height to the boys, who viewed 
every object with keen interest. 

A hail from the boatman was answered by 
a man from the deck of the ship. He thrust 
his head over the rail inquiringly. 

’‘‘Where’s your captain?” asked Ned, as the 
man appeared. 

“What do you want of the captain?” asked 
the man in a surly voice. 

“We want to talk with him,” replied Ned. 
“We’ll explain to him.” 

“He’s busy now and don’t want to be dis- 
turbed. Tell me what you want and I’ll give 
him your message. Maybe he’ll see you!” 

“We want to arrange passage on your ship 
to the United States.” 

“I’ll see what he’s got to say,” replied the 
man, moving away. 

While he was gone the boys examined the 
vessel closely. Jimmie pronounced the vessel 
very much to his liking. He admired the lines 
and pointed with pride to the modeling of the 
stern. 

“Hello!” the boy cried excitedly, his arm 
extended still in the act of indicating the ship, 
“there goes our friend Mackinder in a 
launch!” 


38 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Where?’^ asked Ned eagerly, turning 
about in bis seat. 

‘‘Eight astern of us!’’ replied Jimmie. “I 
wonder what he was doing aboard this ship. 
He seems to be in a hurry to get ashore.” 

“Maybe he wasn’t on this ship at all,” was 
Harry’s objection. “He might have been out 
on the harbor for a pleasure ride.” 

“Sure, he’s just the chap to take a pleasure 
ride on the harbor with a storm brewing! I’ve 
got a picture of that chap joy-riding!” 

“I hope he doesn’t see us,” declared Jack. 
“He might have enough influence with the 
captain to prevent our securing passage on 
this ship.” 

The conversation was interrupted by the 
advent of the captain, who looked over the rail 
at the little craft riding alongside. 

“What do you want?” he inquired in a busi- 
ness-like tone. 

“We want to arrange passage on your ship 
to New York, Captain,” stated Ned respect- 
fully. “We understand you are to sail soon* 
We are citizens of the United States home- 
ward bound. Can you help us out?” 

“Not this trip!” decided the captain in- 
stantly. 

“We are able to pay well for our accommo- 
dations, ’ ’ continued the boy. “ It is rather im- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


33 

portant that we get home as quickly as possi- 
ble/’ 

‘^Possibly,” returned the captain shortly. 

Nonplussed, Ned was at a loss to find words 
with which to urge his request further. The 
captain’s distant manner gave him no encour- 
agement. 

‘‘We’ll not be the slightest trouble, Cap- 
tain,” the lad presently continued. “We un- 
derstand you’ll be loaded in a few days and 
will sail for New York direct. Cannot you 
arrange to accommodate usl” 

“This isn’t a passenger vessel,” stated the 
captain. 

“Well, then, couldn’t we sign articles and 
work our way over? We’d be willing to pay 
whatever you think is right for that privi- 
lege.” 

“You want to get me into trouble with the 
authorities, don’t you?” replied the other, pre- 
paring to move away. 

“But, Captain, just think a moment. There 
must be some way in which you can arrange 
it. Don ’t leave us in a foreign country ! ’ ’ 

“You seem to have done pretty well in for- 
eign countries as it is ! If you can pull off the 
stunts you have just done I guess you’ll get 
over to New York all right — if that’s where 
you want to go!” 


40 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


^^What do you mean? I don^t understand 
you!” 

you don’t, eh? Well, to put it plainly, 
this is a peaceable, neutral ship doing honest 
trading. I carry freight, not spies!” 

With these words the captain disappeared. 
The boys gasped in astonishment at the words 
and looked at each other speechless. 

Ned motioned to the boatman to return to 
the dock. His puzzled frown showed plainly 
that the boy was at a loss to understand the 
situation. 

'H’ve got it!” almost shouted Jimmie, as 
the lads were once more on land. know 
what the answer is! I’ve been reading my lit- 
tle dream book!” 

^‘All right, wise man, let’s have it! Don’t 
keep it bottled up!” 

^‘Mackinder!” declared Jimmie impress- 
ively. 

‘‘You don’t mean to say that he beat us to 
the ship and managed to get the captain to 
refuse us passage on his vessel?” asked Ned. 

“I believe I’m right at that!” maintained 
Jimmie, stoutly. 

“Then the only thing we can do is to try to 
find some coasting vessel to carry us out of the 
Zuider Zee into the North Sea and make a 
port in England. We can then go overland to 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


41 


Liverpool and get a ship from there home. 
Suppose we try thatV’ offered Ned. 

The boys were passing along a covered dock 
at the moment. As they turned a corner they 
saw Mackinder standing near. A smile of 
triumph lighted his face. 


42 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER IV 

THE LENA KNOBLOCH 

^‘What did I tell you?’’ inquired Jimmie, as 
the boys passed the man. ‘‘There he stands 
with his arms folded and grins like a cream 
stealing cat! I wish I had a half a brick! 
We’ll have to watch out for him!” 

“It surely looks as if you were right, Jim- 
mie!” assented Ned. 

“But what gets me,” put in Harry, “is why 
he should be after us! What have we done? 
He seems to have infcrmation that we’re crim- 
inals!” 

“It looks mighty strange that he should 
have stolen the package out of that hut and 
then continue to insist that we have it,” re- 
marked Ned. “Are you sure he’s the same 
fellow, Jimmie?” 

“It’s the very same hand,” declared the lad, 
“and that hand is a dead give away! I won- 
der he didn’t wear a glove or bandage!” 

“Maybe he didn’t have time when he got 
the package,” explained Jack. “Can anyone 
tell me how the thing got into our kits?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


43 


This question was unanswerable by any of 
the lads. Puzzling over the strange adven- 
tures they had recently encountered the lads 
proceeded to their hotel, where they spent 
some time in freshening both themselves and 
their uniforms and in rearranging their bag- 
gage. 

At supper time they were tired and very 
hungry. At the first opportunity they pro- 
ceeded to the restaurant where they had for- 
merly eaten. 

Jimmie’s spirits revived as food was set be- 
fore them. In a moment he was laughing and 
chatting away without a care in the world. 
His good humor was infectious. Soon all four 
boys were in a merry mood. 

‘‘I wish we could get a civilized paper,” de- 
clared Jack at length. ^^I’d really like to see 
what’s going on in the world.” 

‘ ^ Maybe we can get one at the desk. Or pos- 
sibly the cashier can tell us where they will 
have English papers for sale,” suggested 
Harry. 

‘‘Here comes a man who looks as if he were 
a native,” spoke up Jimmie. “I’ll bet he can 
tell us a whole lot of things we want to 
know!” 

The boys glanced up to observe a man ap- 
proaching their table. He was evidently a sea- 


44 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


faring man. His dress and manner betokened 
the deep sea mariner. A decided air of the 
ocean marked him to the boys’ eyes. 

‘^Goot efening, Chentlemen!” the stranger 
said as he approached. 

‘‘Howdy!” replied Jimmie, with a wave of 
, his hand. ‘ ‘ What ’ll yon have ? ’ ’ 

“Veil,” replied the visitor, “schnapps vas 
goot, but you couldn’t get ’em here. Dis isn’t 
no blace for dot! No, sir!” 

“I wasn’t inviting you to have a drink,” 
snapped Jimmie somewhat confusedly, “I 
meant to ask you what’s on your mind.” 

“So-o-o-o!” exclaimed the newcomer with 
a long drawn expression of surprise. His 
shaggy eyebrows raised as he extended his 
chin and shrugged his shoulders, pantomiming 
an apology. “So, dot’s it, eh?” 

“Sure thing!” answered Jimmie, regaining 
his composure in a measure but with his face 
still flushed. “We want to know what you’re 
after.” 

“Veil,” went on the visitor, “my name’s 
Captain Johannes von Kluck. Hon’d forgot 
dot ‘Captain’ part, eider. Und I haf learned 
dot you chentlemans vas lookin’ for a flne, fast 
ship. Und I have chust dot!” 

As he made this announcement Captain von 
Kluck smiled a wide look of friendship at the 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


45 


entire party. It was a wonderful smile, be- 
ginning at the tiny wrinkles surrounding the 
corners of bis eyes. Prom there it spread all 
over his face, gradually distorting the fea- 
tures until, as Jimmie afterward declared, the 
boys were forced to smile in spite of them- 
selves. 

‘‘And where does your fine ship go. Captain 
von Kluck?’’ asked Ned. 

“Chust vherefer you vant to goV’ declared 
the captain solemnly. “Me, I am a goot navi- 
gator, und mine mate he is, too, a goot von!” 

“We want to go to New York,” continued 
Ned. “If you can arrange to furnish us pas- 
sage to that port, well pay you well.” 

To this the captain answered by spreading 
his hands and shrugging his shoulders until 
they nearly reached his ears. Over his beam- 
ing face spread a look of despair. He slowly 
shook his head. 

“To New York I cannot go!” he answered 
dolefully. “Bud I vill put you ashore in Eng- 
land, und from dere you can easy get a ship!” 

“Well, that’s better than nothing at all!” 
admitted Ned. 

“Sure!” declared Jimmie. “Anything to 
get out of this place!” 

“When can you be ready to sail, Captain?” 
inquired Ned. 


46 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Who, questioned the captain in a 

tone of surprise. 

“Nobody else but you, your crew and we 
boys!’’ laughed Ned. 

“Sure! Dot’s all ridt!” nodded von Kluck. 
“Vhell, I’m ready now. Yet I haf some 
cheeses on board to put, und some odder 
tings!” 

“Can you accommodate the boxes contain- 
ing our airship?” asked Jimmie. “We have 
the Grey Eagle over here at the railroad sta- 
tion and don’t want to leave it behind us when 
we leave the country.” 

“Maybe it vould on de schip go!” consented 
von Kluck. 

“Hurrah!” exultantly cried the lads. 
“That’s fine!” 

“How big is your ship. Captain?” asked 
Ned, “and what’s her name?” 

“Mine schip is der Lena Knobloch!” smiled 
the captain. “Dot’s vot you English beoples 
call garlic. Und id vas a goot schip alreaty!” 

“Well, then,” suggested Ned, “suppose the 
captain takes supper here as our guest. Two 
of us will remain with him to arrange details 
while the other two hasten away and get a 
truck to take the boxes to the dock. Can you 
give us directions for reaching the vessel. Cap- 
tain?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


47 


‘‘Sure/’ assented the captain, seating him- 
self. “ Und I know a man vot vould haul jour 
goots, too. I get him,” he added. 

“In that case, we’ll all go over together,” 
proposed Jack. “I don’t like the idea of sepa- 
rating while we’re in a strange town.” 

“Perhaps the captain can tell us where we 
can get some English papers,” ventured Jim- 
mie. “We’d like to get the latest news.” 

Wheeling in his chair the captain bawled 
out an order in Dutch. A waiter came hustling 
up with an air of deference. Evidently he 
knew the captain and understood that no de- 
lay would be tolerated. 

A few words were rapidly spoken, where- 
upon the waiter hastened away to return pres- 
ently with several newspapers. These were 
spread upon the table before the boys, who 
began a perusal of their contents. 

“Gee whiz!” exclaimed Jimmie, glancing at 
the headlines of the paper which had fallen 
to his lot. “Listen to this — three vessels sunk 
in the mouth of the Mersey river by a German 
submarine identified as the ‘U-13.’ Then 
there’s been two vessels sunk at the mouth 
of the Thames!” 

“What sunk them?” inquired Harry. 

“It says here that they were sunk by a Ger- 
man submarine. In each case the diver has 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


been identified as the ‘U-13^ by the crews of 
the ill-fated vessels. Now, that’s going 
some!” 

Let’s see,” pondered Harry, ‘‘the Thames 
is the river leading to London, while the 
Mersey is the river leading to Liverpool.” 

“Eight you are. Old Scout,” go to the head 
of the class!” 

“Hush, Jimmie, no nonsense!” cautioned 
Ned. 

“What I was thinking about,” continued 
Harry, “is the distance a boat would have to 
travel to get from one place to the other. It 
must be all of seven hundred miles around 
Land’s End. A boat would have to be speedy 
to cover that distance so quickly!” 

“How quickly demanded Jimmie. “The 
paper says the three ships were sunk at the 
Mersey on Wednesday morning. Those at the 
Thames, or rather ‘off Margate,’ as the article 
states, were sunk Thursday afternoon. That 
wouldn’t be such an impossible feat after 
aU!” 

“Twenty miles an hour sustained speed for 
about twenty-eight hours is running along at 
a pretty good clip, just the same!” 

“Well, the vessel did it!” declared Jimmie. 
“The paper says that about six o’clock 
Wednesday morning the Wanderer, a vessel 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


49 


laden with, foodstuffs from Australia, was 
hailed by the crew of a submarine. They were 
permitted to take to the small boats and then 
the Wanderer was torpedoed, going down at 
once. The submarine was positively identi- 
fied as the ‘U-13.’ Then the other paragraph 
says that at about eight o’clock on Thursday 
evening the steamer Adventure from Buenos 
Ayres with a cargo of fiour for London was 
treated in the same manner off Margate by 
the ‘U-13’!” 

“Isn’t it a little strange that the submarine 
should have attacked a peaceful merchant ves- 
sel T ’ inquired J ack. ‘ ‘ That isn ’t war ! ’ ’ 

“Evidently it is the intention to blockade 
all English ports and shut off the food supply 
of the nation,” ventured Ned. “You see the 
article relates that all the ships were loaded 
with food and destined to English ports. It 
must be a blockade movement!” 

“Here’s an account,” announced Harry, 
“that says a steamer was hailed by a sub- 
marine a few miles off the Lizard Head. It 
escaped by its superior speed, but only by a 
narrow margin, for the submarine launched 
a torpedo that barely missed striking the after 
portion of the ship!” 

“Maybe it was the same little old ‘U-13,’ ” 
suggested Jimmie. 


50 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


you ‘U”13’!” laughed Jack. ‘‘You’re 
some boat, all right!” 

“Say!” shouted Jimmie, jumping quickly 
to his feet. The boy glanced about the group 
with startled looks. “What about that ‘U-13’ 
package ? Do you suppose it was intended for 
the submarine'?” 

The boys exchanged puzzled looks. Per- 
plexity was expressed in every face. A look 
of worry began to appear on Ned’s counte- 
nance. 

“I wonder who Mackinder is and what he 
has to do with that package,” the lad said 
presently. “Boys, we’re surely stumbling 
into a mess of something. We’ll have to be 
careful!” 

“Captain,” demanded Jimmie, turning to 
von Kluck, “what do you know about this 
‘U-13’ business'? What is the ‘U-13’r’ 

Leaning back in his chair the captain drew 
a long breath. He filled a great pipe from a 
capacious pouch. Gravely he packed the to- 
bacco into the immense bowl, accompanying 
the procedure with sundry shakes of his head. 
Not until the pipe was drawing freely did he 
reply. 

“ Ach, id vas vot der Deutsch say it ‘Unter- 
seeboot’! You English say it submarine! 
XJnd dot liddle schip goes ‘Boom’! und down 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


51 


goes der big schips under der vasser! Und 
dey stay, too!’’ be concluded. 

‘‘Yes, we know that,” assented Jimmie, 
punctuating bis statement with a poke at tbe 
paragraph be bad just read, “but wbo owns 
it?” 

“Vbell, der Cbermans dey claim to baf a 
big share in id!” 

“Then if we start out for England in this 
Lena Knoblocb of yours bow do we know that 
tbe ‘U-13’ won’t come along and take a poke 
at us just out of pure spite?” questioned tbe 
lad. 

“Vbell, maybe she vill,” agreed von Kluck, 
between puffs. “Bud if you vbas like me, you 
iss wilbng to took a chance. I go, und das 
Lena goes, und by und by maybe we make 
blenty money und go ashore to sbtay.” 

“You take it easy, I must say!” returned 
Jimmie, somewhat amused. 

“Are you going out just tbe same. Cap- 
tain?” inquired Jack. 

‘Sure!” proclaimed tbe captain, in no un 
certain tones. 

“Then let’s be getting that truck and take 
the Grey Eagle boxes aboard tbe Lena Knob- 
locb!” cried Jack. “Tbe sooner it’s over tbe 
easier I’ll feel. I’m beginning to get nervous 
about all this ‘U-13’ business!” 


52 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


After paying their bill the boys set out in 
company with the captain to find the trucker. 
That indivdual put up a strong protest at tak- 
ing out his horses at the unseemly hour, but 
a piece of coin slipped into his hand at the 
opportune moment by Ned soon changed his 
mind. 

Another piece of money changing hands at 
the proper moment secured the consent of the 
official in charge of the freight sheds to the de- 
livery of the boxes containing the precious 
Grey Eagle. 

Making the affair a pleasure jaunt the lads 
lost no time in loading the cases aboard the 
truck. Merrily they set off for the dock. 

Upon arriving in the vicinity of his vessel 
the captain shed his jovial air like an overcoat. 
He bawled out orders to his crew, emphasizing 
his co m mands with sundry fistic punctuations. 
The men evidently knew with whom they had 
to deal, for they fell to the work with a will. 

The boys turned back to the hotel to secure 
their hand baggage. 

A small cart drawn by two huge dogs was 
approaching. In the vehicle were some milk 
cans. The figure of a woman guided the 
strange team. 

‘‘This is rather earlv for the milkladj!’’ 
laughed Jimmie. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


53 


‘ ^ That ’s no woman ! ’ ’ declared J ack. ‘ ‘ Look 
at that walk!’’ 

‘‘That’s Mackinder!” Jimmie cried. “See 
the scar on his hand!” 


54 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER V 

TWO MYSTERIOUS CHANGES 

you!’’ shouted Jimmie, dashing 
across the street in the direction of the queer 
outfit. ^‘Come here! I want to see you!” 

The pseudo milk vendor gave a quick glance 
at the approaching boy. A street lamp cast a 
flickering glare upon the automatic which Jim- 
mie had drawn from his pocket. Without 
waiting to explain or ask questions the person 
addressed deserted the dog team instantly. 

With but a single look over its shoulder the 
figure darted toward a building at the head of 
the quay. Boots clattered on the pavement, 
while the long stride clearly indicated to the 
boys that Jimmie and Jack had been correct 
in their surmise that the garb of a woman milk 
vendor had been assumed as a disguise. 

Although Jimmie’s speed was great, the 
lad’s sprint was not sufficient to permit him to 
overtake his quarry. 

‘‘He’ll never make it!” declared Jack, tug- 
ging away at his own automatic and preparing 
to follow his comrade. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


55 


‘^Come on, fellows, let’s get a move on!” 
suggested Harry. ‘^That fellow will just 
about get into a corner somewhere and knock 
Jimmie over the head. He’s capable of worse 
than that, I believe!” 

All three lads hastened after the fleeing fig- 
ure of their red-headed chum and the one 
whom he was pursuing. 

An open door in the building indicated that 
the race had turned in that direction. Pro- 
ducing an electric searchlight Ned urged cau- 
tion. Directly the lads heard the sound of a 
falling body. This was at once followed by 
an exclamation of surprise and disgust. They 
recognized the tones as those of their com- 
panion. 

‘‘Are you there, Jimmie?” called Ned, 
swinging the beam from his searchlight about 
the interior, lighting up a collection of mer- 
chandise piled in the warehouse. Jimmie was 
nowhere to be seen. 

“Where could he have gone so suddenly?” 
queried Harry. 

“Maybe Mackinder hit him over the head!” 
ventured Jack. 

“Mackinder better be careful how he mon- 
keys with this crew!” was Harry’s belligerent 
comment. “Maybe that guy’ll get all that’s 
coming to him and get it right in the neck!” 


56 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


For a moment the boys stood listening in- 
tently for some indication of the presence of 
their comrade. Once Ned thought he heard a 
soft footfall. He put out his hand to touch 
Jack on the arm. 

‘‘Ss-s-sh!’^ he hissed. ‘‘What was that?’^ 

“Eat, maybe!’’ suggested Jack. “Turn 
your searchlight this way a minute. I want 
to see where this passage leads.” 

Ned swung the searchlight in the direction 
indicated. Its lance of flame pierced the 
gloom, revealing tiers of boxes and piles of 
bags and bales heaped up in orderly array. 
Sufficient space had been left between the 
heaps of merchandise to provide passageway. 

“Come on,” cried Jack, “we’re losing time 
standing here!” 

Scarcely had the boy uttered the words ere 
an object came hurtling through the air. It 
struck the searchlight fairly upon the lens. 
There was a quick cry of distress from Ned, 
a rattle of broken glass, the tinkle of the fall- 
ing searchlight. For a moment complete 
silence reigned. The next instant there was a 
rush of a heavy body. 

Taken by surprise the boys were not pre- 
pared for the onslaught. They went down 
like ten pins. Harry received a blow on the 
jaw that nearly put him out for the count. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


57 


Jack declared afterwards that his stomach 
would never cease aching from the punch that 
landed there. 

Ned had been bringing up the rear of the 
little party, hence suffered least. He felt 
about quickly for the searchlight as he lay on 
the floor. Before he could recover it the boys 
heard the outer door slam and knew that some- 
one had passed out of the building after the 
sudden attack. Who it might have been they 
could only conjecture. 

^^Oh, my poor jaw!’’ groaned Harry. ‘H’m 
knocked out!” 

‘‘No, you’re not!” protested Ned. “That 
only shook you up!” 

“Sure!” agreed Jack. “Shook us all up so 
we’ll get a little more ‘pep’. Let’s hurry up 
and follow that guy!” 

“Wait a minute,” objected Ned. “We want 
to And Jimmie first!” 

‘ ‘ Eight-0 ! ’ ’ agreed Harry. ‘ ‘ I think my j aw 
is better now. Where are we going, anyway? 
Do you suppose that was Jimmie that floored 
us just now? Maybe he thought Mackinder 
had pals coming in!” 

“I don’t believe it,” stated Ned. “J immi e 
must have known that Mackinder was alone 
with the milk wagon. He also knew that we 
would follow him here. Possibly the lad is 


58 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEAJ 


farther along in the warehouse, lost amongst 
this merchandise. That must have been 
Mackinder!’’ 

‘‘You’re right, Ned!” declared Jack. “He 
probably misled Jimmie in here and then 
dashed out as we came in!” 

“But where is Jimmie now?” queried 
Harry. “I don’t hear him!” 

“Oh, Jimmie!” called Ned in a loud tone. 

To this hail there was no answer. Complete 
silence reigned. 

“That’s mighty funny!” puzzled Harry. 
“Get your searchlight and let’s hunt him up. 
He can’t have gotten far away.” 

A short search by all three boys resulted in 
the recovery of the searchlight. Beyond the 
damaged lens the instrument had suffered no 
injury. It was still serviceable and cast a 
strong beam of light. 

By its aid the lads followed the passage, 
stepping rapidly forward. They were becom- 
ing alarmed over the failure of their chum to 
respond to their calls. All feared that 
Mackinder might have done the lad harm. 
Momentarily their anxiety increased. 

“Here’s a side passage!” declared Harry, 
who brought up the rear of the little proces- 
sion. “Where does this go?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


59 


‘‘Wait a minute with that searchlight, 
Ned!’’ called Jack, who followed Ned closely. 
“Throw it hack here a minute for Harry!” 

Before the light could be brought into serv- 
ice Harry had taken a step into the passage 
he had just discovered. A sharp cry of sur- 
prise brought Jack and Ned to his side in an 
instant. 

The lads saw Harry bending over the form 
of their missing chum. Jimmie lay in a heap, 
blocking the passageway. 

Fearful that their first suspicions had been 
correct, the boys scarcely dared investigate. 
Jack began growling out uncomplimentary 
remarks concerning Mackinder. Ned quickly 
forced his way to Harry’s side. 

“Here, let me see him!” Ned cried, throw- 
ing the fiame of his searchlight on the recum- 
bent form. “Why, he’s all huddled up!” 

“All in a bunch!” agreed Harry. “I won- 
der if he’s hurt!” 

“Roll him over,” directed Ned. “Let’s get 
him out of here!” 

“Why, he’s tied!” cried Harry, in a startled 
voice. 

“Tied?” questioned Jack, pushing forward. 
“Who tied him?” 

“And gagged!” went on Harry, his voice 


60 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


vibrating with indignation. ‘‘Mackinder will 
pay for this!’’ the lad continued. “We’ll get 
him!” 

Without the loss of a moment Harry was 
swiftly relieving Jimmie of the object which 
prevented speech. A small block of wood had 
been forced between Jimmie ’s teeth. This had 
been secured in place by tying a handkerchief 
over his face. The gag had been extremely 
effective, even though it was uncomfortable 
and crude. 

As the gag was removed Jimmie wagged his 
jaw a few times to relieve the strained mus- 
cles. He nodded his appreciation. 

“How are you feeling, Jimmie?” was Ned’s 
solicitous inquiry. 

“All right,” replied the lad. “Untie my 
hands, will you?” 

“Gee, but you’re an artist, Jimmie!” cried 
Jack. “We’ll get you a job as ‘Tricko, The 
Handcuff King’! I want to say right now,” 
the boy went on in mock seriousness, “there 
are very few people who can tie themselves up 
so completely and so quickly as this job has 
been done!” 

“You win the argument!” decided Jimmie, 
ironically. “If I get my tutor where I can lay 
hands on him I’ll show him a trick or two that 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


61 


wasn’t in the first chapter. He’s in for some 
instruction all right!” 

‘‘What happened, Jimmie?” asked Ned, 
carefully passing his knife through the bonds 
that confined the other’s hands and feet. 

“Well, when I came slamming along into 
the warehouse I was only a few feet behind 
the milk maid!” began Jimmie. “I at once 
crept in on tiptoe, because I reasoned that he 
would be slugging along, making considerable 
noise. I didn’t know that there were goods 
in here. 

“I couldn’t see him anywhere. Prom that I 
concluded that he had either stopped or had 
taken to tiptoeing, too. I had my ‘gat’ ready 
and started in. I felt along the bales and 
boxes a ways. Just as I heard you fellows 
come into the door something tripped me and 
down I went. 

“Before I could say a word he had shoved 
that thing into my mouth, pulled a handker- 
chief out of my pocket, tied it around my face 
and then tied my hands together under my 
knees. Say,” the lad continued earnestly, 
“that guy never got his knowledge out of a 
correspondence course! He’s been there and 
helped skin ’em! He’s smooth!” 

“Where’s your automatic?” asked Harry. 

“I don’t know,” replied Jimmie. “Let’s 


62 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


have the bug a minute. I’m sure I heard it 
fall, but I can’t say whether Mackinder got 
it or not!” 

‘^Mackinder?” questioned Ned. ^‘How do 
you know it was he?” 

‘‘Because as he was tying my hands to- 
gether I had a chance to feel of the back of 
his right hand. I could feel the scar as plainly 
as could be. It was the same scar I saw be- 
fore he started to run and the same scar I 
saw when the ‘U-13’ package was pinched!” 

“I’d like to take a poke at him just for 
luck!” declared Jack. 

“I don’t know about that,” stated Jimmie. 
“I can’t help but admire a fellow as capable 
as he is. He tied me up so quickly and clev- 
erly and yet so effectively. I’d like to take 
lessons of him!” 

“Here’s your gun!” joyously announced 
Harry. “And here’s the milkmaid’s dress he 
shed in here after he trussed you up.” 

“Now, then,” began Ned, as the party was 
again complete and ready for action, “let’s get 
out of here and get our baggage.” 

“Let’s get Mackinder first,” proposed Jack. 

“I vote ‘No’ on that question, Mr. Chair- 
man!” declared Jimmie. 

“Why?” questioned Jack, with surprise, 
“What’s the matter?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


63 


‘‘Well, there are several matters!’’ declared 
Jimmie. “I don’t feel that we’d gain any- 
thing by chasing him. The ‘U-13’ package is 
not in onr possession and he knows it. Be- 
sides, he’s a clever guy and we might get the 
worst of it if we step out of our way to go after 
him.” 

“I agree with Jimmie,” announced Ned. 
“Let’s get aboard the Lena Garlic and get 
started on our way as soon as possible.” 

“You mean Lena Knobloch!” corrected 
Harry. 

“It’s the same thing!” declared Ned. 
“Knobloch means garlic!” 

“All right, then, let’s get going!” agreed 
Jack. 

The boys lost little time in proceeding to 
their hotel, where they went directly to their 
room. Here a scene of confusion awaited 
them. Their possessions lay scattered around 
in disorder. 

“Well, Great Frozen Hot Boxes!” cried 
Jimmie. “What’s this?” 

“Mackinder and Norton again. I’ll bet my 
head!” said Jack. 

“Weren’t satisfied with their first search,” 
agreed Jimmie. 

“Came back here and went through every- 
thing. Then I’ll bet Mackinder grabbed that 


64 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


milk cart and dogs, slipped on an old lady’s 
dress and chased down to the dock to see if 
he could stop us!” put in Jack. ‘‘When he 
found we were armed he just cut it and ran 
away!” 

“Boys, we will do well to pack up and get 
aboard that vessel as quickly as possible!” de- 
clared Ned. “Through a mistake we’re under 
suspicion, and it won’t pay us to remain here 
another minute!” 

Eeplacing their belongings in the bags with 
skill and despatch the lads were soon ready. 
They at once proceeded to the dock. 

Tramping aboard they proceeded to the 
cabin at the after end of the vessel. Entering 
they discovered Captain von Kluck seated at 
the little table. Before him was a bottle and 
a glass. 

“Well, Captain,” began Ned, “we’re here 
and ready to go!” 

“So-o-o?” queried von Kluck. “Vhell, if 
you’re reatty to go, vhy go ! But you don’d go 
on dis schip. Vhe don’d carry bassengers!” 


OE, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


6 


CHAPTER VI 

A DIFFICULT DEPARTURE 

Astounded at the statement of the captain, 
whom they had begun to regard as a friend 
but whose present manner indicated anything 
but friendship, the boys glanced at each other 
in some degree of alarm. 

‘‘Just what do you mean by that, Captain?’’ 
inquired Ned. “I thought it was understood 
that we were to have passage on your boat!” 

“Vhell, den I forgot dot vhe don’d carry 
bassengers!” 

“And I suppose it took Mackinder to re- 
fresh your memory!” snapped Jimmie, step- 
ping forward with an outward thrust of his 
chin. 

At the mention of Mackinder’s name the 
captain gave a quick start. His glance at Jim- 
mie was one of uneasiness and alarm. 

“Vot do you know about Mackinter?” he 
inquired. 

“I know this,” stated Jimmie, angrily. 
“He’s a fake and if you know when you’re 
well off you’ll let go your lines right now!” 

“Yes, Captain,” added Ned, “we found 


66 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


Mackinder tr}dng to detain us because he fan- 
cies we have done something wrong or because 
he thinks we have something he wants. Who 
he may be we don’t know!” 

know!” stated the captain, stoutly. 
know dot feller is a officer in der British army, 
und vhen he says shtay, den I shtay!” 

‘‘An officer in the British army!” gasped 
Jimmie. 

“I think I see now why he wants that pack- 
age!” declared Ned. “He thinks that we are 
bringing some instructions or something to 
the submarine named ‘U-13’ and he’s trying 
to intercept the despatches!” 

“Well, he’s welcome to the ‘U-13’ package 
as far as we’re concerned!” maintained Jim- 
mie. “What we want is to get home to the 
little old U. S. A., and that right quick. So, 
Captain, we’ll go now, if you please!” 

“No!” decided the captain bluntly. “Vhe 
don’d go!” 

“But you may listen to reason!” said Jim- 
mie, drawing his automatic. “I don’t like to 
hold you up, but you’re going to get out of 
town right now and we’re going with you!” 

“Put dot gun oop!” cried the captain, start- 
ing from his seat. 

“I will on one condition!” declared the boy. 
“If you get under way at once without any 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


67 


more monkey business I’ll keep it in my 
pocket. If you don’t I’ll use it ! We are neu- 
tral and we’re going to remain neutral if we 
have to fight to do so!” 

^‘Vhell, I guess dere’s no real goot reason 
vhy vhe shouldn’t go, anyhow!” decided the 
captain. ‘‘Mackinter don’d got no license to 
shtop us. Aber he don’d like id, he couldt 
lump id!” 

‘‘Now you’re talking sense!” declared Jim- 
mie. “But, remember! No tricks, or we’ll 
feel like starting something ourselves!” 

“All right!” consented von Kluck, secretly 
anxious to help the boys. “Chust come along 
und make me leaf port. Dot let’s me ouid!” 

Upon von Kluck ’s appearing at the compan- 
ionwaj' the crew immediately assumed an air 
of attention. Some were grouped about the 
capstan, where they were watching the sky 
and speculating on the character of the ap- 
proaching storm. Others were occupied at 
various duties about the vessel. Every man 
seemed to stand in fear of the captain. 

Bawling out a hoarse order, von Kluck at 
once assumed command of the deck. Lines 
were thrown down from the belaying pins. A 
group of men tailed onto the halyards, hoisting 
the foresail, staysail and jib. 

The Lena Knobloch was a schooner-rigged 


68 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


vessel with two masts. The boys noted with a 
considerable degree of satisfaction that she 
was built along clipper lines, vastly different 
from the round-bowed type of vessel com- 
monly seen in those waters. 

Under jib, staysail and foresail the vessel 
swung around as the dock lines were let go. 
Gathering speed with the force of a favorable 
wind the little vessel plunged ahead. Von 
Kluck was evidently planning on leaving the 
harbor without the use of a tug — a somewhat 
difficult, if not dangerous, experiment. 

Urged by the vociferous driving of the mate 
men were already hauling on the halyards of 
the mainsail. With the added press of sail the 
Lena Knobloch heeled over until her lee rail 
was nearly awash. 

A strong wind was coming out of the north- 
west, favoring the maneuver of von Educk, but 
kicking up considerable commotion on the 
harbor. Waves were running so high as to 
make navigation of small craft exceedingly 
difficult if not dangerous. 

Carrying full staysail, jib, foresail and 
mainsail the schooner plunged into the waves, 
sending cascades of water over her forecastle 
with every leap. She was loaded deeply and 
the boys could see that she would prove to be 
what the sailors term a ‘‘wet ship.’’ 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


69 


Every moment the speed was increasing. 
The mate had trimmed the sheets to the exact 
point for greatest efficiency. 

Suddenly all hands were startled by a hail 
from a point on the starboard bow. They saw 
a small motor boat riding dizzily upon the 
crest of a wave one moment to be dropped out 
of sight in the trough the next. 

‘‘Ahoy, the Knobloch!’’ came a cry. 

“Ahoy, the launch!’’ bawled out the mate in 
a voice of thunder. “What do you want? 
Stand off or we’ll run you down!” 

“We want those passengers of yours!” was 
the reply. 

“All right, come on and get ’em!” yelled the 
mate above the noise of singing wind in the 
rigging. “We can’t stop now!” 

“If you don’t heave to I’ll fire!” was the 
answer. 

“Good night!” cried Jimmie from a position 
near the lee rail, where he could look out be- 
neath the main boom. “That’s Mackinder!’^ 

A revolver shot sounded amidst the tumult 
of rushing waters and singing rigging. The 
echo was quickly bitten off by the rising wind. 
The shot sounded dully above the humming 
and roaring. 

Before Ned could detain him Jimmie fired. 
Faintly the boys heard a crash aboard the 


70 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


motor boat. The green starboard sidelight of 
the launch disappeared. Urged on by the 
tremendous press of wind in her sails the 
Lena Knobloch was fast dropping the launch 
astern. 

No other shots were fired at the schooner. 
Scrambling from his position at the starboard 
rail Jimmie made his way aft to a point beside 
the helmsman. Here he peered eagerly into 
the darkness astern. 

can’t see them at all!” he announced, 
turning presently to his companions, who were 
grouped about the little skylight. 

Perhaps we’ve shaken them off for 
keeps!” ventured Jack. “Did you see who 
that was with Mackinder?” 

“I thought,” said Harry, “that it was his 
pal, Norton!” 

“Well, they’re safely out of reach now!” 
declared Ned. “I’m glad of it, too! If we 
can hold on at this gait we ’ll soon reach a port 
in England, where we can transship the Grey 
Eagle and get home.” 

“I only hope the real ‘U-13’ doesn’t come 
along and demand that package from us!” 
laughed Harry. ^ ^ They might take a notion to 
send us to the bottom if we don’t deliver it 
on demand!” 

“Let us hope they’re busy on the west coast 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


71 


of England by this time!'^ suggested Jack. ‘‘I 
don ’t want any more ^ U-13 ’ in mine ! ’ ’ 

‘‘VhaUs dot about der inquired 

von Kluck, coming up to the little group. ‘‘Is 
id der ‘U-13’ dot you’re skipping^” 

In a few words Ned related the important 
details of their experience with the ‘U-13’ 
package and with Mackinder. 

“And so,” the boy concluded, “we were just 
hoping that the real ‘U-13’ wouldn’t show up 
and claim the package that we haven’t got!” 

“No danger!” reassured von Kluck. “Dis 
vindt keeps dose fellers under vasser deep! 
Dey like rough vedder not at all!” 

“Hurrah!” joyfully cried Jimmie. “Blow, 
winds; blow hard!” the lad continued, stretch- 
ing his hands to windward in an appealing 
attitude. “Blow hard enough to keep the sub- 
marines submarooned!” 

A laugh went round as the boys listened to 
Jimmie ’s coined word. They were all heartily 
in sympathy with the expressed wish that the 
wind would blow hard enough to keep the sub- 
marines from the surface. 

“But, den,” continued von Kluck, with a 
frown that wrinkled his heavy brows, “dot’s 
not all. Cere’s mines floatin’ round der Nord 
Sea dot dem verdom Deutsches Wanted. May- 
be vhe hit one of dem und if vhe do — ” 


72 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


Here the captain shrugged his shoulders, 
spreading his hands palm upward and extend- 
ing them with a final toss aloft to indicate the 
hopelessness of a situation such as he inti- 
mated might befall them. 

‘‘Can’t we dodge a mine?” queried Jim- 
mie. 

“Sure, if vhe can see id!” declared von 
Kluck. 

“That’s the trouble,” explained Ned. 
“These mines fioat deep and before a ship can 
know of its danger — Bang!” 

“Well, Ned,” announced Jimmie with a 
grin, as he wrinkled his freckled nose, “I’ll 
tell you what I’ll do. I’ll bet you my old hat 
that if we do hit a mine and get blown up I 
go higher than you do!” 

“All right,” agreed Ned, laughing in spite 
of the seriousness of the situation. “We’ll 
ask von Kluck to be the judge.” 

“Von Kluck don’t seem to be very much 
worried over the prospect of hitting a mine!” 
declared Jimmie. “I guess we’re all right!” 

“Und now,” announced the captain, “come 
to der cabin und eat!” 

The boys needed no second invitation. 
They were soon seated about the little table, 
where they found great slabs of cheese set out 
on a plate. Loaves of hard, black bread were 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


73 


placed upon the table by the steward, who 
withdrew to presently reappear bearing a 
great pot of steaming co:ffee. Von Kluck re- 
freshed himself with a glass of his beloved 
‘^schnapps,’’ then fell to heartily upon the 
bread and cheese, motioning to the boys to do 
likewise. 

With considerable relish the lads made a 
good lunch off the bread and cheese and cof- 
fee. Hard and dark, but possessing consider* 
able nutriment, the bread was not at all un- 
pleasant to the taste. It had been plentifully 
seasoned with small seeds, which lent an ap- 
petizing flavor. 

Shortly after finishing their lunch the boys 
again gained the deck, to find the mate actively 
driving the men in their various duties. The 
wind still came out of the northwest with a 
stinging snap. Ned declared that he could 
feel rain approaching. 

Feels to me more like snow!” stated Jim- 
mie, sniffing to windward. ‘‘Well be getting 
outside the Friesian Islands soon and then 
well find out what’s coming. We’re some- 
what protected here.” 

“How long will it be before we pass into 
the North Sea, Captain von Kluck"?” asked 
Ned of the captain, who approached. 

“Vhe might make id by morning,” stated 


74 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


the captain. vish I make a swift voyage 
dis time. If Mackinter gets news to England 
ahead of me, maybe he makes dronbles by das 
Lena Knobloch.^^ 

^^So you’re carrying all the canvas you 
dare?” asked Harry. 

^‘Chust now, yes! Maybe vhen vhe come 
about und head up into der vindt vhe get oop 
der tops Is und put oop uuder vun chib. I 
reach off a goot vays und leaf Amsterdam und 
der vest coast of der Zuider Zee, den I make 
vun straight reach und run ouid by Eijerland- 
sche Gut.” 

‘‘Then I’m going below to try for a little 
sleep!” declared Jimmie. “I’m not needed on 
deck and this wind is too cold for comfort!” 
* “I’ll go with you and keep you company,” 
volunteered Jack. 

“We’ll all go,” added Harry. “Come on, 
Ned.” 

Clinging to hand rails the lads scrambled 
below. The deck leaned at an angle that made 
walking almost impossible. Every plunge 
sent shivers through the little vessel. Tons 
of water broke over the bows and dashed along 
the planks to rush hissing through the scup- 
pers. 

In the cabin a lamp swung wildly from a 
beam overhead, throwing weird, dancing 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


75 


shadows on the bulkheads. Here the noises 
of the wind were hushed. Only a moaning 
from the taut rigging reached the ears of the 
four lads. But the cabin was full of eirie 
sounds of creaking timbers and straining 
planks. For som.e time the boys lay on lock- 
ers listening to the confusion of noises. 
Presently they fell asleep. 

They were wakened by the sound of tramp- 
ing feet on deck, and knew that some 
maneuver was about to be executed. Coils of 
rigging were flung on deck. The stentorian 
voice of the mate bawled out orders. 

‘‘Stand by to come about!’’ roared von 
Kluck over their heads. 


76 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER VII 

A WARNING FROM THE SEA 

Springing from their resting places the four 
boys staggered up the unsteady companion- 
way. As they gained the deck they were as- 
sailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet 
and snow. During their stay below the 
weather had turned colder, bringing fitful 
dashes of sleet out of the north. The schooner 
presently rode easier. 

A hoarse order from forward was followed 
by a clanking of the cable through the hawse 
pipes. The sails rattled with great slapping 
noises as the Lena Knobloch rode to her 
anchor. 

Men were instantly aloft securing the 
lighter topsails. With a run the foresail and 
mainsail were lowered and furled. The stay- 
sail and jib had but a moment before been 
lowered as the schooner was headed into the 
wind. Tinder bare poles they rode on gentler 
swells. 

‘‘Where are we?” asked Harry, throwing 
up an arm to protect his face. “Have we 
reached England yet? Where is the cantain?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


77 


^‘Vhell, how do you like id now?’’ roared 
the voice of yon Kluck almost at Harry’s 
elbow. “Vhat you tink of dis for some 
shtorm?” 

‘‘This is fierce!” replied the lad, bracing 
himself against the wind. “Where are we 
now, Captain von Kluck?” 

“Under der lee of one of der Friesian 
Islands,” replied the captain. “I see some 
rocks aheadt und dere is a big shteamer in 
drouble oop to vindvard. I hope she makes id 
into safety, bud I don’d know!” 

Shaking his head doubtfully the captain 
went away forward. Presently he returned, 
still shaking his head. The crew except the 
captain and the mate were gathered forward 
round the capstan. 

“Here’s rocks dere — ^lots of dem!” an- 
nounced von Kluck. “Dot wessel looks hke 
she’s lost her rutter, und if she gets off dem 
rocks dot captain needs a medal. I tink he’s a 
goner, sure!” 

It did, indeed, appear as if von Kluck was 
right. A big cargo steamer, now dimly dis- 
cernible to the boys, was rolling in the trough 
of a heavy sea, urged on by a vicious wind 
from the northwest. Her range lights showed 
clearly at the mast heads. A gleam of red 
indicated that the vessel was showing her port 


78 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


side. With every roll great masses of water 
boarded the weather rail, sweeping the decks 
of every movable object. 

‘‘Look!’’ cried the mate, excitedly pointing 
toward the steamer. 

There was no need of explanation. A great 
mass of rock directly in the path upon which 
the steamer was drifting sent gigantic col- 
lunns of water into the air with every wave. 
Although the eastern sky showed a tinge of 
gray the blackness upon the water was in- 
tense. It was lightened momentarily by the 
white smother of spray and foam cast upward 
as wave after wave brokp upon the black and 
threatening menace lying immediately before 
the apparently doomed vessel. 

“Py golly, he’s all right!” yelled von Kluck 
in a moment. “He’s lost dot rutter und he’s 
backing on his enchines ! He ’ll make id ! ” 

Surely enough the steamer’s captain was 
executing the very maneuver at which von 
Kluck had guessed. By backing on his en- 
gines he succeeded in drawing the vessel so 
far to one side of the dangerous rock that it 
was passed. Only a margin extremely nar- 
row intervened. 

But the danger had not passed. Another 
rock threatened to tear to pieces the all but 
helpless vessel. With straining eyes and beat- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


79 


ing hearts the lads watched anxiously as this 
danger was also cleared. 

They clung to the weather shrouds in spite 
of the whip-like sting of sleet and spray, 
watching the struggle against wind, wave and 
rock. 

At length the vessel won through the dan- 
gerous places. It was now so close that the 
boys could make out the details of the rigging. 
Ned procured a pair of binoculars and spelled 
out the name. 

‘That steamer is the Anne of Melbourne,’’ 
he announced. “I wonder if it isn’t an Aus- 
tralian vessel. They have had a hard time 
of it.” 

“She’s close to us now,” cried Harry. “I 
wonder what they’ll do.” 

“If they’re wise they’ll let go an anchor and 
ride it out,” answered Jimmie. “If I had 
sense enough to bring a vessel through a tight 
place like that I’d get a hook overboard as 
soon as I could.” 

“That’s just what they are doing!” an- 
nounced Ned. “There’s a group of men at 
the forward end preparing to get the anchor 
over.” 

Directly the boys heard the rattle of the 
cable in the steamer’s hawse pipes, followed 
instantly by a great splash at the bow that 


80 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


told as plainly as words that the ground tackle 
was out. 

Still feeling the heave of waves surging 
around the head of the island the steamer 
slowly swung to her cable. The range lights 
shifted their position. The red side light dis- 
appeared. 

She’s safe now!” cried Ned, in a tone of 
relief. “I’m glad they made it all right. I 
wonder how they got crippled.” 

“Let me take the glasses a minute, Ned,’^ 
requested Harry. 

“Can you see what’s the matter with her'?”' 
queried Jimmie. 

“Yes,” replied the boy, with the glasses to 
his eye. “Von Kluck was right. It looks as 
if the rudder stock is twisted and bent badly 
out of shape. As the stern lifts I can see the 
blades of the propeller all right, but the rud- 
der seems to be missing.” 

‘ ^ The Anne of Melbourne, ’ ’ mused Ned. “I 
wonder now what that vessel is doing away 
off up here. If they had a cargo destined for 
an English port they should have been much 
farther south.” 

“You don’t suppose the captain lost his 
reckoning and got this far out of his course, 
do you?” suggested Jimmie. 

“I don’t know,” replied Ned, Then turn- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


81 


ing to Captain von Kluck the lad continued: 
‘^Captain, what do you think about itV’ 

‘‘Mit der var doing so many tings, I don’d 
know what to tink!’’ 

can see men moving about on deck now, 
apparently clearing up the recent damage,” 
stated Harry. “And I see a Boy Scout, too!” 

“No!” objected Jimmie. “Don’t say that! 
I don’t want any more Boy Scouts mixed up 
in this ! It isn ’t fair ! ’ ’ 

“Just the same, he’s there!” laughed Harry. 

“Well, then,” stated Jimmie, with a sigh 
of resignation, “w^e are in for another siege 
of it. I never knew it to fail! Just as quickly 
as we get going somewhere and a Boy Scout 
shows up there’s trouble ahead and lots of it! 
Why can’t they stay homel” 

“Now, Jimmie,” cautioned Ned, “you know 
we’ve never in all our adventures found a Boy 
Scout that really brought us ill luck. Some- 
times they’ve caused us a lot of trouble, but 
usually they help!” 

“That’s true, too, but I wish we could get 
home to the little old U. S. A. without mixing 
up in this ‘U-13’ business with the Boy 
Scouts!” 

“Maybe it’ll come out all right after all,” 
soothed Ned. 

“Maybe,” reluctantly agreed Jimmie. “I 


82 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


say, Harry,” lie continued, ‘‘let me take those 
classes. I want to see what that fellow’s 
like.” 

Long and eagerly the lad peered through 
the binoculars. 

“ I see him ! ” he cried, presently. ‘ ‘ He ’s go- 
ing up the foreshrouds! I’ll bet he’s working 
his passage on that steamer!” 

“What’s he doing on the foreshrouds?” 
asked Ned. 

“It looks as if something had fouled at the 
fore top,” replied Jimmie. “He’s going up 
to clear it, I guess. Oh, look!” the boy 
shouted. “He’s falling! He’s broken one of 
the rathnes and is falling!” 

“I see him!” cried Ned. “I can see him!” 

“Oh, good!” exclaimed Jimmie, the next 
moment. ‘ ‘ He hit the shrouds and the steamer 
rolled at the right minute, throwing him clear 
of the deck. “See that splash in the water?” 

“I see it!” answered the others, together. 

“Are they trying to help him?” asked 
Harry. 

“Yes, they are,” stated Jimmie. “They’ve 
thrown him a ring buoy!” 

“Can you see him now?” asked Ned. 

“Yes, and he’s swimming. There must be a 
current in here that’s dragging him away from 
the steamer. The buoy fell short and he’s 


OB, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


83 


swirainiiig directly away from the steamer. 
He’s coming towards us!” 

Intently the lad watched the one in the 
water. He swam a good stroke resting easily, 
even though somewhat impeded by his cloth- 
ing. 

Now and again as the crest of a wave ap- 
proached the swimmer his head was sub- 
merged, only to reappear again in the yeasty 
froth following the racing monster. Eagerly 
his progress was noted by all on board the 
schooner. They were at a loss to understand 
why he had left his own vessel to swim toward 
a strange craft. 

Presently, however, as he approached the 
Lena Emobloch the lad’s strokes became more 
feeble. He was evidently tiring rapidly. 

^‘Captain, what do you say to getting a boat 
over?” asked Ned. 

‘ ‘ Vhait ! ’ ’ grunted von lOuck. ^ Hd ’s lots of 
vork to do id!” 

‘‘But the lad may need help!” urged Ned, 
eagerly. 

“ Vhell, if he needs id, I put him ofer. Nod 
before!” 

Jimmie ran forward into the very eyes of 
the schooner. In his hands he grasped a ring 
buoy, to which was attached a goodly length 
of line. This he coiled ready to heave the 


84 


BOY SCOUTS m THE NORTH SEA; 


buoy to the one in tbe water as soon as be 
should come within reach. 

Just as Jimmie was measuring with his eye 
the distance separating the swimmer from his 
goal and preparing for a mighty throw of the 
buoy he noted that the other’s stroke was fast 
weakening. 

With a jerk the Wolf unfastened and kicked 
loose a shoe. In an instant the other followed. 
A rapid movement loosened his jacket. A 
backward twist of his shoulders helped him 
slip from the garment. 

One look over the rail showed that the swim- 
mer was losing control of his muscles. Both 
hands went up into the air only to disappear 
beneath the crest of an oncoming wave. The 
boy stayed under. 

Stand by to get me, boys!” shouted Jim- 
mie; 

A splash told that he had gone overboard. 
His companions crowded eagerly to the rail, 
watching for his reappearance. In a moment 
they were relieved to see his red head come up 
close to the spot where the other had sunk. 
Emptying his lungs of the pent up air with a 
loud ‘‘Whoosh!” the boy instantly refilled 
them to plunge again under water. 

To the intense satisfaction of those on board 
the schooner he again came quickly to the sur- 


OE, THE MYSTEEY OF U-13 


85 


face, this time dragging by the hair the boy 
to whose rescue he had gone. Swimming on 
his back, using but one hand, Jimmie slowly 
brought the other lad to a position where he 
could reach the buoy flung to him by Ned’s 
strong arm. 

Harry had already made a bowline in a bight 
at the end of a line. This he passed over the 
side to Jimmie, who succeeded without diffi- 
culty in getting the loop over the shoulders of 
the rescued lad. 

Soon both were on deck, where they re- 
ceived the attentions of all hands. Captain 
von Kluck insisted upon giving the newcomer 
a draught of ‘‘schnapps” to assist in the re- 
viving process. As the flery liquor burned its 
way down his throat the lad coughed violently. 

Choking and spitting the lad clawed at his 
burning mouth and throat. Evidently he 
thought the cure worse than the disease. 

“Let’s get into the cabin,” suggested Jim- 
mie. “I’m freezing ! ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Sure enough ! ’ ’ cried Ned. “How thought- 
less of us ! Captain, ’ ’ he added, ‘ ‘ can you have 
the steward bring us some coffee?” 

Eoaring for the steward to perform this 
service, the captain picked up the nearly 
drowned lad in his strong arms. He deposited 
the boy on a locker in the cabin, then stood 


86 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


aside to permit Ms passengers to administer 
such assistance as they might. 

Ned stepped forward to begin operations. 
With a cry he bent over the boy. Wonder- 
ingly the others crowded forward. 

^ ‘Frank!’’ cried Ned, seizing the lad by the 
shoulders. “Frank! Speak to me! Frank, 
how did you get here?” 

“Who is it?” asked Jimmie, elbowing his 
way into the group to a position where he 
could see the recumbent figure. “Why,” con- 
tinued the boy in a tone of amazement, “if it 
ain’t old Frank Shaw of New York!” 

A cup of steaming coffee at this moment 
brought by the steward was offered to the 
newcomer, who drank eagerly. He glanced 
about the group with a faint smile in answer 
to their puzzled looks. 

“Look out for the ‘U-13’, boys!” he said. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


87 


CHAPTER VIII 

MORE ABOUT THE “U-13’’ 

Frank Shaw!” cried Jimmie, crowding 
close to the lad lying on the locker. ^‘What’s 
that you’re saying about the ‘U-IS’?” 
say ‘Look out for it,’ that’s all!” 

“No, it isn’t all!” protested the boy. “Take 
another drink of this coffee and then brace 
up and tell us what you know! How did you 
get here and what and who and where and 
why is this ‘TJ-13’?” 

Frank smiled as he struggled to a sitting 
posture. 

“If you’ll rub the cramp out of that leg, 
boys. I’ll ‘fess up’ everything,” he began. 
“That leg feels as if some one were trying to 
pull some teeth out of it by the roots. A 
cramp is fierce.” 

Two lads began massaging the offending 
member. 

“If I’d known it was you swimming to us, 
I’d have lowered a boat myself and come to 
your assistance!” declared Jimmie. 


88 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘^And if I’d known you were on board this 
schooner,” replied Frank, ‘‘I’d have left that 
ship long before I did!” 

“Why, what’s the matter on that ship, 
Frank?” asked Ned. 

“Oh, nothing, only it’s one of these ‘work- 
houses’ just exactly like we have read of. 
The captain is a hard nut and the mates are 
both of the ‘bucko’ type. There isn’t a man 
aboard who hasn’t got a mark from one or 
the other of the mates. They’re a tough 
crowd!” 

“I’ll bet you didn’t just fall overboard, 
then!” shrewdly guessed Jimmie. “You 
missed your footing purposely! You know 
you did!” 

“How do you know?” grinned Frank, nurs- 
ing his cramped leg. 

“I was watching through the binoculars,” 
answered Jimmie. “But go ahead and tell us 
something. We’re dying from curiosity!” 

“Well,” began Frank, “you know I wasn’t 
quite satisfied to be left behind when you four 
lads left in chase of the fellow who had stolen 
the Panama plans. I wanted to go along in 
the Grey Eagle.” 

“We know that, and we’re sorry we didn’t 
take you!” cried Ned. 


0R> THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


89 


“I went to see Mr. Bosworth about follow- 
ing you,” continued young Shaw. ‘‘He was 
opposed to that plan, but you know I usually 
get my own way somehow. I put together a 
kit and started out. I had little difficulty in 
securing passage on a ship loaded with mis- 
cellaneous cargo for England. The vessel was 
a British tramp — a ‘bucko’ ship. 

“We got close to Land’s End after a rather 
uneventful voyage across the Atlantic. I was 
dreaming of getting ashore in a short time 
and then hiking across the channel into France 
to hunt you up. 

“One fine morning we were all startled to 
hear a hail from the lookout informing the 
deck that a submarine was approaching. We 
hove to at the command of the submarine peo- 
ple. They commanded our captain to get his 
crew into the boats as quickly as possible, for 
in five minutes they intended torpedoing the 
ship. They wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an an- 
swer.” 

“That was going some, I must say!” put in 
Jimmie. 

“You needn’t be told, of course,” went on 
Frank, “that we lost little time making prep- 
arations. One of the sailors disputed my right 
to take my kit into the small boat. I objected 
and he cracked me on the jaw. When I recov- 


90 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


ered I was alone on the vessel. The boats 
were at some little distance away, with the 
crew pulling like racers. 

‘‘For a moment I was quite desperate, not 
knowing how to escape. I thought of trying 
to signal the submarine, but could see the ves- 
sel just launching a torpedo. Seemingly the 
whole after end of the ship was shattered by 
the explosion. As soon as I could I tried to 
signal the enemy, but they were just turning 
about to leave the spot. 

“Maybe I didn’t hustle about some. The 
ship was already filling rapidly. The stern 
was settling fast. All the boats were gone. I 
could see nothing to serve as a fioat. Des- 
perately I seized a capstan bar and knocked 
the wedges and battens off a hatch cover. 
Then I got a small piece of line. I passed it 
through a ring bolt and made fast. I figured 
that when the ship went down the cover would 
fioat free for a raft on which I could keep up. 
Before I was fully ready the compressed air 
blew the cover off with a ‘boom’. It landed 
close to the rail. 

“Just as the hull took a last slant I jumped 
overboard. After swimming quite a distance 
away I saw the ship go down. I turned back. 
There was my hatch cover fioating just as I 
expected.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-IS 


91 


Here Frank paused to extend Ms hand for 
another cup of coffee. 

‘‘You’re the wise little Scout!” declared 
Jimmie, admiringly. 

“Sure!” agreed Frank. “Then,” he con- 
tinued, “I floated around for the rest of the 
day on that hatch cover. Toward evening I 
saw a smoke off to the southwest. It was just 
out of the glare of the sun. When it got 
nearer I knew it was a steamer bound for 
England or some nearby place. It was the 
Anne of Melbourne. So here I am!” 

“But what about tMs ‘U-13’?” inquired 
Harry, eagerly. 

“Oh, yes, I nearly forgot,” said Frank. 
“The submarine that torpedoed the ship was 
marked ‘U-13’ on the side!” 

“They’ve been doing a lot of that, accord- 
ing to the newspapers!” stated Ned. “But 
why do you warn us to look out for her?” he 
asked. 

“When I told the captain of the Anne of 
my experience,” went on Frank, “he decided 
to head north, intending to go to the westward 
of Ireland, around between Scotland and the 
Shetland Island into the North Sea, in the 
hopes of dodging the submarine, which seemed 
to be working the waters of the English Chan- 
nel. Yesterday morning we were hailed by a 


92 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


submarine. I could see that it was the same 
old 

^‘How did it get way up here?” questioned 
Ned, incredulously. 

‘‘Search me!” replied Frank. “They or- 
dered us to heave to, but that captain is a dare- 
devil. He cracked on all steam full speed 
ahead, declaring that if they touk him they’d 
have to catch him. 

“The submarine launched a torpedo at us, 
but it only smashed our rudder. We had good 
headway on. That, of course, put us in a 
mighty bad fix, as the submarine could then 
have easily sent a torpedo into us, but for some 
unknown reason they turned and left us. 

“The captain was nearly crazy when he dis- 
covered what damage had been done. The 
vessel had been bad enough before, but it be- 
came ten times worse. I got a crack or two 
with a rope’s end that sting yet!” 

“How could they navigate?” asked Jimmie. 

“They couldn’t!” answered Frank. “We 
just lay in the trough of the seas and let the 
old tub roll. They even put preventer stays 
on the masts and on the boilers to keep them 
from rolling out of the crazy old wagon. You 
never saw such a place as that ship was!” 

“And then when the captain got her under 
fhe lee of this land and you saw this schooner 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


93 


you just concluded that you’d jump the 
ship?” 

‘‘Exactly!” agreed Prank. “I had lost my 
kit when the sailing vessel went down, so I 
left nothing on the steamer.” 

“I’m awful glad you got here safely,” stated 
Ned, grasping Prank’s hand in a hearty clasp 
that spoke eloquently of the friendship be- 
tween the two boys. “But you’re too late to 
help capture the Panama Canal plan thief. 
He’s out of his misery quite a while ago!” 

“But he’s just in time to get mixed up in 
this ‘U-13’ business!” urged Jimmie. “He’s 
right in the midst of the excitement!” 

“But since you don’t want any more Boy 
Scouts along we’ll pitch Prank overboard 
again!” declared Harry, with mock gravity. 

“Aw, you go on!” scorned Jimmie. “I 
didn’t know it was Frank!” 

Laughing at Jimmie’s confusion the boys 
related to their chum the salient points of 
their experience up to the time of their 
strange meeting. Prank was greatly puzzled 
over the circumstances of the strange package, 
for the presence of which in their kits the boys 
could not account. 

For some time the lads remained in the 
cabin, drying the uniforms of the swimmers 


94 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


and exchanging experiences. It was the 
opinion of all that they would be adopting a 
wise course to return at once to New York. 

Captain von Kluck was greatly interested 
in his strange passengers. He listened eagerly 
to Frank’s account of the doings of the strange 
submarine. At the conclusion of the recital 
he paced the deck nervously. 

Not imtil midaftemoon did the wind de- 
crease sufficiently to permit the Lena Knob- 
loch to venture forth from her position of 
shelter. 

Through the binoculars the boys made long 
examinations of the steamer lying to wind- 
ward of their position. They determined that 
preparations were being made to send a boat’s 
crew to some port for assistance in towing the 
crippled vessel to a harbor. 

At one bell, or half past four o’clock, Cap- 
tain von Kluck came from his cabin. He 
stepped to the rail, sniffing at the wind. Pres- 
ently he turned to join the mate in his walk 
across the deck. 

For some minutes the two conversed in low 
tones- Directly the mate stepped forward, 
bawling out orders to his men. 

At once all was commotion on the Knob- 
loch’s decks. Men tumbled eagerly about, 
hauling a line here, letting go another there, 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-IS 


95 


until they had set the double reefed mainsail, 
foresail and a mere rag of jib. 

When this had been accomplished all hands 
seized capstan bars. To the tune of a Dutch 
sailors’ ‘‘chanty” the links of the cable slowly 
clanked inboard. With a lurch the Lena 
Knobloch swung as the anchor broke ground. 
Like a storm driven bird she was off in the 
wings of a northwester, lying far over even 
under the greatly reduced sail. 

“Where to now. Captain*?” asked Ned as 
von Kluck stepped along the deck with head 
bent forward. By his manner of nervous in- 
tentness Ned guessed that the captain was 
carrying a load on his mind. 

Von Kluck ’s only response was a growl as 
he passed the boys. 

“Captain’s grouchy!” declared Jimmie. 
“Leave him alone, Ned!” 

“Sure, don’t bother him!” added Frank. 
“He’s worried enough!” 

“Just the same, I don’t like his looks!” 
stated Ned with some degree of apprehension. 
“He seems to have soured after hearing about 
the ‘U-13.’ Didn’t you fellows notice how he 
listened to Frank’s story?” 

“Sure we did,” Jimmie replied, “but then, 
it’s only natural that he should be worried 
over the possibility of losing his vessel!” 


96 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Well, Ms getting under way in tMs 
weather shows that he intends to be square 
and land us in an English port as he agreed!’’ 

“I guess von Kluck is a pretty good sort of 
a chap, after all!” ventured Harry. “He has 
tried to treat us as right as he could!” 

“I think you’re right. We can’t blame him 
for feeling somewhat worried under the cir- 
cumstances. We’d be grouchy, too!” 

Under a port helm the Lena Knobloch 
swung to starboard leaping forward into the 
waves as if glad to again be battling with the 
sea. 

Ned and his companions felt that they could 
be of no service in handling the schooner. 
They, therefore, retired to the shelter of the 
cabin, where they were protected from the 
stinging blasts of sleet and snow that came 
screaming out of the northwest. 

Scarcely had the schooner won clear of the 
jagged ledges when the full force of the tum- 
bling waves was felt. It seemed to the boys 
that the stem of the little vessel was hurled 
to an unbelievable height only to drop so far 
they feared nothing could save them. 

But Captain von Kluck and his mate were 
expert navigators. They had sailed the ocean 
since large enough to handle a line. They 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


97 


knew the Lena Knobloch’s ability to with- 
stand the buffeting of the elements. 

As night drew on the boys expected to wit- 
ness a cessation of the storm. Their predic- 
tion was fulfilled. Gradually the gale blew 
itself out, leaving but a strong sailing breeze, 
although the water still continued rough. 
Captain von Kluck took advantage of this 
change to shake out the reefs in his canvas 
and to spread more sail. 

Just as the moon showed in the east be- 
tween masses of cloud the lookout reported a 
ship in sight off the port bow. In a short time 
the two vessels had approached within about 
two miles of each other. 

^ ^They’re apparently heaving to!’’ cried 
Ned who had been using the binoculars. ^^It 
looks as if they’re getting the boats over!” 

From the waist of the other vessel the boys 
saw a great cloud of dark smoke appear. The 
small boats had scarcely gone a ship’s length 
away from the scene. The crew were rowing 
with the greatest haste. 

see the conning tower of a submarine!”' 
cried Ned, 


^8 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEAy 


CHAPTER IX 

A STRANGE VISIT 

Clearly visible to the members of the crew 
on the Lena Knobloch the great cloud of 
smoke slowly spread over the vessel. 

Directly a sullen ‘‘Boom” reached their 
ears. As the smoke spread away the lads 
could see a great rent in the side through 
which water was rushing. Already the ship 
was listing heavily. 

Two small boats were being pulled away 
from the vicinity by the crew of the doomed 
vessel. The small craft were handled in a 
seamanlike manner. They made good prog- 
ress in spite of the still heavy sea. 

“By golly!” ejaculated Von Kluck, draw- 
ing along breath. “Maybe vhe get id next, 
vhat ? Dere ain ’d no vay of tellin ’ ! ” 

“Why do you think that, Captain?” ques- 
tioned Ned. 

“Dot verdom ‘U-13M” grunted Von Kluck. 
“Vhe ’ll pe lucky,” — ^here his excitement 
grew so intense that he delivered himself of 
several great sailor’s oaths — “if vhe make a 
port in England alretty!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


99 


‘‘Keep a sharp lookout, boys,” said Ned. 
“Maybe we can get a sight of the ‘U-13’ if it’s 
still in this neighborhood.” 

Scarcely had the boy uttered the words be- 
fore the lookout hailed the deck. His voice 
vibrated with excitement and fear. 

“Vot is, aloft, dere?” roared Von Educk. 

Excitedly jabbering in his intense emotion 
the lookout frantically pointed in the direc- 
tion of the sinking ship. Without waiting for 
orders he came sliding down the halliards. 
As he landed on deck he turned an ashen face 
toward the captain. Again he pointed sea- 
ward. 

“The ‘U-13’!” he gasped in an agony of 
terror. 

A glance in the direction indicated showed 
the boys an object like a spar buoy apparently 
standing upright in the water. The next 
moment a swell rolled over something beneath 
the upright object. 

The next wave disclosed a long, rounded 
steel hull, In the center the conning tower 
showed plainly. A moment later the outlines 
of the dreaded submarine were distinguish- 
able as the craft was propelled to the surface. 
Each wave broke clear over the arched back 
of this terror of the seas leaving the black hull 
gleaming in the faint light. Only the upper 


100 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


portion of the conning tower escaped a duck- 
ing. 

Presently the hatch was opened. A man in 
uniform stepped out onto the narrow confines 
of the small deck. His attention was directed 
toward the schooner. After what seemed to 
ihe boys to he an almost endless examination 
of their vessel the man turned to address a 
remark to some one evidently close to the 
hatch hut out of their vision. 

‘‘What is he saying?” Ned asked von 
Kluck. 

“He iss telling dot odder feller dot vhe iss 
das Lena Knobloch!” 

“What next, I wonder?” speculated Jim- 
mie aloud. 

“Next?” almost screamed von Kluck. 
“Next, vhe iss ordered to get by our boats 
into und row far enough avhay so dey couldt 
blow up us!” 

In his intense agitation the captain began 
pacing up and down the deck. The subma- 
rine drew close alongside the schooner easily 
keeping pace with the sailing vessel at the 
rate they were progressing. 

“Von Kluck is certainly worked up about 
it,” remarked Harry as he noted the captain’s 
distra cted manner. “ He ’s almost bughouse ! ’ ’ 

“Well, so would you be, too, if all you had 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


101 


were about to be sent to the bottom of the 
ocean ’ declared Ned. ‘ ‘ It ’s tough luck ! ’ ’ 
Maybe we’d better be getting our kits in 
shape,” suggested Jack moving toward the 
cabin. don’t want to leave everything!” 

“I had to leave everything,” put in Frank, 
^‘when they sunk the ship I was on. I felt 
lucky to get away with my life!” 

“Let’s make a try for it, anyway,” con- 
tinued Jack. 

“Wait a minute!” cried Ned, “let’s see 
what they’re going to do. The man is going 
below again! Why don’t he hail usi” 

Strangely enough the officer was descend- 
ing the hatchway without speaking a word to 
those on board the schooner. 

This procedure puzzled von Kluck, but did 
not serve to reduce in any degree the excite- 
ment under which he was laboring. 

“Lay aft a couble of handts und make reaty 
der boats!” he shouted. “Come on, hurry 
oop! Lifely, now, men!” 

In obedience to this command two members 
of the crew sprang towards the stern of the 
schooner to make preparations for launching 
the boat lashed at the stern. Two others 
frantically loosened the lashings of the up- 
turned boat lying amidships. 

A clanking sound indicating that the hatch- 


102 


BOY SCOUTS IN’ THE NORTH SEA; 


way of the had been closed attracted 

the attention of the boys in that direction. 

^‘What are they going to do now?’’ ques- 
tioned Jimmie eagerly. 

fancy they are going to pnll away a little 
so as to launch a torpedo at us,” stated Ned. 
^‘It don’t look as if they’re going to be kind 
enough to let us get off the vessel before they 
blow it up!” 

‘‘Then it isn’t the same crew I met!” de- 
clared Frank firmly. “They treated the men 
fine! While I must admit that I don’t admire 
their way of sinking merchant ships, I will 
have to say that they gave the people a chance 
to get out of danger!” 

“Well, is it the same submarine you saw?” 
asked Ned. 

“It looks exactly like it. Besides,” the 
boy continued, “I see the figures ‘IJ-13’ 
painted on the side of this one, too. I believe 
it is the very same vessel. Maybe they won’t 
sink us!” 

With hatch closed the submarine was pre- 
paring to execute some maneuver. Gather- 
ing speed the craft plunged ahead quickly 
leaving the schooner alone. Scarcely had the 
bow of the sailing vessel been passed ere the 
submarine was so far beneath the water as to 
show only the periscope. In a moment there 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


103 


was but a swirl to indicate where that had 
been. Presently it, too, disappeared. The 
was gone. 

For some time the boys stood at the rail 
eagerly scanning the water to discover evi- 
dence of the submariners return. Their 
search was fruitless. Nothing was found to 
indicate the presence of their late visitor. 
The waves rose and fell without hint of its 
location. 

‘‘Oh, Captain von Kluck!’’ Ned called. 
‘ ‘ They have gone ! ^ ’ 

“Yhat^r asked the captain in a tone ex- 
pressing doubt. 

“Yes,’r continued the boy. “They have 
slipped back into the ocean again and have 
left us. Possibly they think we’re too small 
for them to waste a torpedo on. Torpedoes 
cost a lot of money, you know!” 

“Vheil, dot’s lucky!” answered the captain, 
much relieved. 

“Sure is!” assented Jimmie, throwing out 
his chest. “You see. Captain, we’re mascots 
for you. We’ve brought you good luck!” 

Joining in the laugh that greeted this re- 
mark the captain ordered the men who had 
been at work upon the boats to cease their 
operations. A hand was again posted aloft to 
act as lookout. 


104 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


After a short consultation between von 
Kluck and the mate it was decided to proceed 
on the course traveled by the steamer from 
which Frank Shaw had recently escaped. 
They intended to pass between the Shetland 
islands and the coast of Scotland in an at- 
tempt to make a port on the west side of 
England, believing that there would be less 
danger in this procedure. Accordingly all 
sail possible was made. 

As if understanding the necessity for haste 
the vessel leaned far over under the press of 
canvas and sprang forward with increased 
speed. 

‘‘We ought to make the west coast of Eng- 
land in a short time, Captain, at this rate,’^ 
said Ned as he noted with satisfaction the rate 
at which the Lena Knobloch was traveling 
through the water. 

“I don’d know!” declared von Kluck. 
“Dere’s nasty vedder oop dere!” he added, 
pointing to the western sky. “I don’d like 
id!” 

“It can’t very well blow hard enough to 
stop us, can it?” 

“Don’d you tink it can’t blow hard in dese 
vatters! Ask me — know!” replied the cap- 
tain sagely wagging his head. 

With eager looks the boys watched the 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


105 


gathering clouds to westward. The captain’s 
prediction seemed about to be verified. 

An uncommonly strong pufi of wind struck 
the schooner heeling her far over to starboard. 
The blast bore a chill as of ice. 

‘‘Oh, boys,” cried Jimmie turning his head 
away from the biting blast, “look up to wind- 
ward and see how smooth the ocean is get- 
ting!” 

“That’s wind coming!” shouted Ned. 

An order was roared out by von Kluck. 
Men sprang to the lines. The sails were 
stowed with a speed that seemed scarcely cred- 
ible. Heeling round on a port helm the Lena 
Knobloch turned from the approaching blast. 

Leaving only the shortened jib von Kluck 
and the mate stood on the after deck peering 
anxiously at the violent disturbance overtak- 
ing the little vessel. Now and again the mate 
glanced apprehensively at the schooner’s 
masts or along the decks. 

With a shriek the storm struck. For a 
moment the very weight of wind seemed to 
settle the schooner farther into the water. 
The next instant they were tearing along with 
the speed of a race horse. 

Flattened by the pressure of the wind the 
waves no longer gave her motion. By reason 
of her being headed directly away from the 


106 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEAj 


blast the schooner rode on an even keeL 
Every line, every shrond hummed like the 
strings of a gigantic harp. The noise was 
terrific. 

A glance at the compass in the binnacle 
showed Ned that they were headed nearly 
northeast. They were fast leaving England 
astern. 

Conversation was almost impossible in the 
howling gale that tore and fretted at the ves- 
sel. Yet Ned managed to shont to the cap- 
tain: 

‘‘How much sea room have we got in this 
direction?’’ 

A shrug of the shoulders indicated the cap- 
tain’s doubt. He accompanied this movement 
with a wagging of the head. 

“Vhe’ll get into der lee of somedings bretty 
soon,” he replied. 

“I surely hope so!” declared Ned, cupping 
his hands to carry his voice to the other’s ear. 
“I’d hate to hit anything at this rate!” 

Nodding an acknowledgment to this asser- 
tion the captain by signs indicated to the mate 
that he desired a hand sent aloft as lookout. 

In a short time it seemed to the boys that the 
terrific force of the gale had somewhat spent 
itself. Waves began to toss the vessel at an 
alarming rate. Each mountain of water ap- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


107 


peared about to board the schooner at the 
stern, threatening to crush the craft by its 
weight. 

Anxious for the safety of the vessel and for 
their own welfare the lads, nevertheless, un- 
derstood that they could do little good on deck. 
They, therefore, made their way into the cabin, 
where they sat on lockers. 

Here the noises of the tempest were some- 
what stilled, but the creaking and groaning of 
the timbers was far more noticeable. It 
seemed to the lads that the vessel was being 
torn asunder by every billow. 

wonder what weather the old ‘TJ-13’ is 
making of it about now?’’ said Frank, as the 
boys grouped themselves about the little table. 

She’s in smoother water than this. I’ll ven- 
ture to say,” put in Jimmie, clutching the edge 
of the table in an effort to support himself. 

‘Hf they are not in better water than this,” 
remarked Harry, ^ ^they’re getting shaken up 
some! I’d like to be under water right now!” 

‘‘Why, Harry,” spoke up Ned, “you 
shouldn’t say that!” 

“I mean in a tight little submarine!” ex- 
plained Harry. 

“I wish we had the Sea Lion over here!” 
cried Jimmie. “We could have more fun than 
we had when we tried to rescue the papers 


X08 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


out of that ship in the Gulf of Tong King with 
Moore and his nosey son butting in!” 

‘^That was sure some fine boat!” declared 
Ned. ‘^Just as easy to ride in as a rocking 
chair. And it was always smooth and — ” 

The boy’s speech was cut short by a violent 
roll of the vessel. All the lads were thrown 
in a heap to the cabin fioor. Directly the 
schooner righted herself, but began pitching 
with a violent motion. From the sounds tne 
boys knew that the captain had hove to, bring- 
ing the vessel into the wind. Apparently he 
intended riding out the storm. 

Waves were breaking over the bows, falling 
with tremendous blows upon the forward deck. 
The scuppers were not able to release the 
flood. 

Suddenly a terrific crash sounded directly 
beneath the cabin floor. The stern seemed to 
lift bodily into the air. A shudder ran through 
the fabric. Again the boys fell to the deck. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


109 


CHAPTER X 

SHIPWRECK AND RESCUE 

Above the noises of the tempest and the 
straining timbers sounded cries from the deck 
that told of confusion amongst the crew. Von 
Kluck^s hoarse voice was bawling out orders 
mixed with great sea oaths. He was driving 
the men to some duty. 

The tramping of feet above the boys sounded 
for a moment, then ceased. Judging from the 
sounds they thought the men had gathered in 
the waist of the vessel. Puzzled, they looked 
at each other in fear. 

‘^What’s up?’’ inquired Jimmie, attempt- 
ing to rise to his feet. 

Ned steadied himself at the table as he tried 
to peer out of the little skylight overhead. He 
could see nothing. 

^‘We just about struck something!” de- 
clared Jimmie. 

Maybe we hit another vessel,” ventured 
Harry. 

^^Or a rock, perhaps,” continued Jack. ^^We 
surely struck something solid. I hope we 
don’t hit it again like that first crack!” 


110 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NOETH SEA; 


‘‘Look here, boys!^^ cried Ned in alarm. 
“The motion of this ship is much less than it 
was a minute ago! Notice it?’^ 

“It surely is!’’ agreed Jack. “Is the wind 
going down?” 

“We are getting into some sort of shelter,” 
guessed Harry. “Probably von Kluck has 
navigated the schooner behind a breakwater.” 

“Boys, the ship is sinking!” shouted Ned. 
‘ ‘ See the water coming into this cabin ! W e ’ve 
struck a floating mine!” 

In alarm the boys sprang to their feet. As 
Ned had said, the motion was lessening 
rapidly. They found little difficulty now in 
keeping their footing without support. With 
one accord they made a break for the compan- 
ionway, crowding out in a body. 

The sight that met their gaze brought con- 
sternation to every heart. The schooner lay 
head to the wind. The mainsail had been set 
with a double reef, to help keep the vessel in 
that position. The seas seemed alarmingly 
higher than when they had been last on deck. 

This was due, of course, to the difference in 
perspective, owing to the fact that they were 
fast settling into the water. 

Above the stern clung traces of heavy, black 
smoke. A disagreeable odor pervaded the 
atmosphere in spite of the strong wind. 


OR, THE MYSTEP.Y OF U-13 


111 


‘‘There goes von Kluck and the crew!” 
shouted Harry, pointing to leeward. “They’re 
scared to death. That mine settled them!” 

A short distance away the boys could see 
the larger of the two boats that had been car- 
ried by the schooner. In it were the members 
of the crew, accompanied by the captain and 
the mate. 

Tossed about by the angry waters the little 
shell seemed about to be engulfed at any mo- 
ment. However, skillful hands were at the 
oars. Eising and falling, now on top of a 
wave, now out of sight, the boat soon put con- 
siderable distance between the two parties. 

“Well, Great Frozen Hot Boxes!” ex- 
claimed Jimmie in disgust. “What do you 
know about that ? They ’ve gone and left us ! ” 

“And the ship is settling fast!” cried Ned, 
in alarm. “We’d better get busy if we don’t 
want to go down with it!” 

“What can we do?” asked Harry. “The 
boat’s gone!” 

“Suppose we try to patch up the leak,” sug- 
gested Jimmie. ‘ ‘ Maybe we could keep the old 
tub afloat until the storm dies down!” 

“No chance!” decided Ned. “Von Kluck 
and his crew would have done that if thej^ 
could. “We’d better get busy!” 


112 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


What’s the matter with using the small 
boat at the stem"?” 

‘^That’s a good idea unless it is broken too 
badly. Let’s have a look at it anyway,” re- 
plied Ned, hastening toward the stern. 

A brief examination of the small boat indi- 
cated that it would be more seaworthy than 
the hull upon which they were standing. No 
time was lost in preparations for launching 
the craft. 

^^When folks get shipwrecked,” suggested 
Jimmie, don’t they take water and food with 
them if they have it?” 

^^They surely do, little man!” cried Ned. 
‘‘Hustle about and see what you can get. Try 
to find something in which to carry fresh 
water.” 

Jimmie dashed back into the cabin to raid 
the pantry. There he found the water gain- 
ing rapidly. It was almost knee deep. 

Splashing his way about with the aid of the 
swinging lamp the boy found several loaves 
of the hard, black bread mth which the vessel 
was provisioned. These he wrapped in an oil- 
skin coat from the captain’s room. He tucked 
the parcel under one arm. With his free hand 
he seized a huge piece of the captain’s beloved 
cheese. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


113 


Hastening qnickly to the deck he deposited 
his burden in the boat. Another trip to the 
cabin failed to locate any vessel in which fresh 
water could be carried. The boy then dashed 
forward to the galley. 

There he found a huge kettle used by the 
cook for boiling beef. This Jimmie filled with 
water from the barrel on deck. The cover of 
the kettle was provided with a clever device 
for fastening it in place. This Jimmie secured, 
then staggered toward the stern with his 
burden. 

Working with desperate speed the four boys 
had succeeded in launching the small boat. It 
now hung bobbing about to a short length of 
painter under the schooner’s stern. It was not 
far below the taffrail. 

Ned and Harry made a hurried trip to the 
cabin to secure the kits, returning just as Jim- 
mie succeeded in placing his kettle of water 
aboard. 

Hurry up, Ned,” cautioned Jack. ‘^The 
little wagon is just about to say ^Goodby’! 
We’ll have to go some to escape the suction!” 

^^All aboard!” replied Ned, tossing his kit 
into the boat. 

Harry pitched the luggage he was carrying 
to waiting hands. Both boys then watched for 
an opportune moment when the small boat 


114 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


swung close to the sinking stern. A quick leap 
carried them safely aboard. 

“Oh, I forgot!’’ cried Ned. “I was going to 
bring the compass!” 

“Never mind the compass now, Ned!” cried 
Jimmie, seizing an oar. 

“No,” put in Frank, “we don’t know where 
we are at anyhow, and the compass wouldn’t 
be of any use to us in such a case as this!” 

“Goodby, Lena Garlic!” shouted Jimmie a 
moment later as he pulled manfully at the oar. 
“Goodby and good luck!” 

The others turned to see the schooner now 
with decks awash. A loud detonation marked 
the blowing off of the hatches by the com- 
pressed air in the hold. That incident seemed 
to mark the passage of the vessel. 

Gradually settling by the stern the schooner 
quietly slipped backward, settling deeper and 
deeper, until a large wave overwhelmed the 
craft, leaving only the masts projecting above 
water. In another instant these, too, had dis- 
appeared, leaving but a few floating pieces of 
wreckage to mark the spot where the boys had 
only a short time before been standing. 

“And goodby. Grey Eagle!” almost sobbed 
Ned. “No more flying in that little airship! 
I wish we could have saved the machine!” 

This seemed to be the sentiment of all, but 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


115 


they knew that their sturdy aeroplane was 
now gone forcYor. 

‘^The Germahs needn’t think we’ll ever 
trouble them again in that airship!” declared 
Jimmie. ‘^We can’t be pinched for that!” 

For a moment the disappointment of their 
recent experiences sat heavily on all the lads. 
At length, however, Ned roused himself and 
tried to cheer his comrades. He knew that 
nothing could be gained by bemoaning the fate 
that had happened to them. 

^‘We can’t be far from land,” the lad stated 
presently. ^^Von Kluck and his crew seemed 
to be heading the same way we are. They evi- 
dently knew about where they were and have 
made for the nearest port.” 

Let’s keep right on after them, then,” sug- 
gested Frank. 

‘^Second the motion!” panted Jimmie, 
straining at his oar. ‘‘But this is hot work! 
Wish I had a drink of water!” 

“You’ll have to go slow on the water, boys,” 
cautioned Ned. “ That kettle holds only about 
three gallons, and we can’t drink sea water.” 

“Let me take the oar a while, Jimmie,” vol- 
unteered Harry. “I guess you’ve worked 
about hard enough, anyway. You rest a bit.” 

Cautiously the boys changed places. What 
with their kits, the bundle of bread and the 


116 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


cheese the little boat was carrying all that 
could be conveniently stowed. They were glad 
that, no more had remained to accompany 
them. Soon all had settled themselves quite 
comfortably. 

^‘Now,’’ spoke up Jack, presently, ‘‘all 
we’ve got to do is to let this wind blow us 
along. Well just keep the boat straightened 
into the seas and take it easy. We can’t do a 
thing to help matters.” 

“Right you are. Scout!” agreed Jimmie. “I 
think it’s getting gray over there,” the lad 
continued, pointing toward the east. “Morn- 
ing will be along shortly and we can see what 
time it is.” 

“Maybe we’ll meet some ship that will pick 
us up,” ventured Harry, hopefully. “There 
are plenty of vessels in these parts.” 

“I see a smoke astern of us now, I think!” 
declared Frank. “It seems to be from a vessel 
low in the water.” 

“Let me take a look,” cried Ned, standing 
and balancing himself by clinging to Jimmie’s 
shoulder. “Yes, I can see it, too! It seems to 
be overhauling us quite rapidly,” he added. 
“Maybe they’ll help us!” 

Ceasing their efforts to propel the boat the 
boys handled the oars only enough to keep 
their tiny craft properly riding the seas. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


117 


‘‘It looks ;to me like a tug!’’ stated Jimmie, 
presently. 

“A tug woul(^’t come smashing along at 
that rate!” objected Ned. 

“Well, then, what can it beT’ queried the 
other. “It is too low in the water for a battle- 
ship and no freight steamer ever made such 
good time as they are clipping off! They’re 
coming up fast!” 

The boys were not long left in doubt, 
Eapidly overhauling them the strange vessel 
did, indeed, seem to be at first glance a tug 
tearing along through the waves at a great 
rate. The bow was lost in a smother of foam 
and spray. But a tiny speck of deck house 
was visible. The stacks were low. Great bil- 
lows of black smoke vomited forth from the 
short funnels came drifting down the wind. 

In a short time the vessel approached near 
enough so that the boys could distinguish a 
small gun mounted at the bow. 

“I know what that ship is ! ” announced Jim- 
mie, directly. “That’s what they call a tor- 
pedo boat destroyer or despatch boat!” 

“I believe you’re right, Jimmie,” decided 
Ned. “They certainly have got the speed!” 
he added admiringly as the craft approached. 

‘ ‘ Get ready to hail ’em ! ’ ’ cried Frank. ‘ ‘ Get 
out a flag!’^ 


118 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


^‘Haven’t got a flag aboard this wagon! 
scorned Jimmie. ‘^What do you think this is 
— a dreadnaught with full equipment?’^ 

‘^Then take off your shirt and wave that at 
’em!” 

‘‘Just the idea!” agreed Jimmie, proceeding 
to follow the advice. 

Bracing himself against a thwart amidships 
Jimmie waved the improvised distress signal. 
His efforts were not unavailing. 

“They see you, Jimmie!” shouted Jack, 
presently. ‘ ‘ There ’s a man on the bridge look- 
ing at you with glasses. They’re shifting the 
helm!” 

“I can see two or three men standing on 
the bridge!” announced Ned. “They are ex- 
amining us pretty closely. Wonder who they 
are?” 

The boys were not long left in doubt. Way 
was checked on the stranger. As the vessel 
drew close to the small boat a churning of 
foam at the stern told the lads that the engines 
were reversed in an effort to stop. Presently 
the stranger ranged alongside. A line was 
flung to the boys. They were towed beside 
the other under bare steerageway. 

Fending their craft off the larger vessel Ned 
explained their plight to an officer. They 
were invited aboard the steamer. Thffir boat 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


119 


was hoisted^aboard, where it was carefully 
stowed. ^ 

The lads found themselves upon the steel 
deck of a peculiarly long and narrow vessel. 
Guns were mounted forward and aft. Only a 
cursory examination was necessary to deter- 
mine that they were quick firers. 

‘‘Now, boys,’’ said the officer who had in- 
vited them aboard, “I shall ask you to step to 
the cabin. The commander will hear your 
story.” 

As the boys entered the cabin in response to 
the other’s request they saw a familiar face. 
Beside the commander seated at the table was 
none other than their one time acquaintance^ 
Mackinder. 


120 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SE^J 


CHAPTER XI 

A FLEET OF SUBMARINES 

Upon seeing Mackinder^s face, Ned halted 
in amazement. 

A smile spread over the other’s countenance 
as he noted Ned’s look of wonder. But be- 
neath the appearance of amused indifference 
the lad’s quick eye detected a look of care. He 
was not the same Mackinder. 

For a brief moment nothing was said. Then 
the officer saluted the commander, who recog- 
nized the act. The boys were presented. 

^‘So, my friends,” the commander began, 
‘‘you were adrift on the North Sea in an open 
boat? Have you suffered greatly?” 

“No, thank you,” replied Ned, acting as 
spokesman. “We have not been adrift very 
long. The vessel on which we were riding 
struck something which we took to be a float- 
ing mine. The crew got away quickly in one 
of the boats, while we left a little later in an- 
other.” 

The shrewd eyes of the commander nar- 
rowed perceptibly. 

“And what was the name and rig of the 
vessel?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


121 


‘‘The Lena Knobloch, a schooner, of Am- 
sterdam,’^ replied Ned. 

“And the name of her captain?” continued 
the commander. 

“Von Kluck,” the boy answered. 

“Ah, a Hollander! I believe he is a peace- 
ful trader in small cargoes. He is what the 
English call a ‘tramp’ of the sea.” 

“May I ask what boat this is and where you 
are bound?” asked Ned. “We would like to 
get to the United States, you know,” he added. 

“Yes,” smiled the commander. “But you 
are far from that country now and we think 
your company delightful. This vessel is the 
Sturmvogel, a destroyer of the German navy. 
We have been doing some small tasks upon the 
high seas and are returning to a base of sup- 
plies.’^ 

“Can you put us in touch with some means 
whereby we can secure passage on a vessel 
leaving for the United States?” asked Ned. 

“I am afraid that is impossible for the pres- 
ent,” slowly replied the other, with apparent 
reluctance. “We like your company, you see. 
We also are favored with the presence of one 
of your countrymen,” here he indicated 
Mackinder, “who has consented to pay us a 
brief visit.” 

“Pardon me, sir!” stated Mackinder, half 


122 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


rising. These are not countrymen of mine! 
I must disclaim that honor!’’ 

‘‘So-o-ol” drawled the other. ^^Then you 
do not know them?” 

‘ ‘No ! ” stated Mackinder positively. ‘ ‘ They 
are strangers to me!” 

“Then you did not mean what you said a 
few moments ago?” 

“I was mistaken!” replied the other, briefly. 

“As you please,” responded the commander 
with a wave of his hand. “Perhaps I misun- 
derstood your statements concerning them!” 

An order was given to the officer who had 
conducted the boys to the cabin. The German 
language was used. Saluting the officer ap- 
proached Mackinder. Without a word that 
gentleman rose and stepped from the room. 

As Mackinder was conducted from the 
apartment the commander motioned the boys 
to seats about the table. He smiled at them 
kindly. 

“Do you know what von Kluck’s cargo con- 
sisted of ?” he asked. 

“Mostly cheeses,” replied Ned. “Also an 
airship!” he added. 

“An airship?” was the questioning re- 
sponse. ‘ ‘ An airship ? ’ ’ 

Ned smiled a trifle regretfully as he related 
briefly the adventures of the four lads with 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


123 


those who have read the previous volume of 
this series are already familiar. He concluded 
by saying: 

^‘We were trying to get ourselves and the 
airship back to the United States, when this 
man Mackinder seemed bound to delay us on 
some flimsy pretext. Unfortunately our Grey 
Eagle went down with the schooner.’’ 

‘‘Yes. And now you are headed directly 
away from your desired destination. For you, 
at least, the situation is unfortunate!” 

“We think we are lucky to be afloat!” de- 
clared Ned. 

“Yes. You are indeed fortunate in that re- 
spect. But I wish to make some inquiries,” 
went on the commander. 

“We shall be pleased to give you any infor- 
mation possible,” answered the lad heartily. 
“We highly appreciate your kindness to us!” 

“Perhaps my act of picking you up was not 
altogether prompted by such a noble senti- 
ment,” smiled the other. “I want some infor- 
mation.” 

“I hope we can help you out,” replied the 
hoy. 

“What I want to know is this: What did 
you do with the package 

“What package?” puzzled Ned, unable to 
grasp the other’s meaning. 


124 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


^^The package so much desired by youi 
friend Mackinder!’’ 

Instantly the boys comprehended the state- 
ment. They were unable to understand how 
this man should know anything of the mys- 
terious package unless Mackinder had told 
him. They glanced at each other in apprehen- 
sion. 

^‘Haven’t we got clear of that thing yet?” 
spoke up Jimmie. 

‘‘If you please, sir,” said Ned, “we don’t 
really know anything about the package. A 
package was found in our baggage when we 
were searched at the border between Belgium 
and Holland. It was stolen by some person 
whom we believe to be this man Mackinder, 
who has since been trying to get us to deliver 
it to him, although we have not had it.” 

“I presume that you understand him to be 
an officer in the British army?” inquired the 
commander kindly. 

“We heard so from von Kluck,” replied the 
boy. 

“Do you know what was in the package?” 

“No. We had not seen it until the time it 
was taken from our kits by the soldiers who 
were searching them. All we know is that it 
was marked ‘U-13’ on the outside. We have 
seen it but that once.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


125 


‘‘I cannot understand why Mackinder 
should be trying to take the package out of 
the possession of his own countrymen!’^ 

^‘But I beg to say that we are not country- 
men of his!” declared Ned. “We are citizens 
of the United States. Here are our pass- 
ports!” 

“I beg your pardon!” apologized the com- 
mander. “Circumstances seemed to indicate 
that you were Englishmen. The mistake is 
mineP^ 

“I admit that the mistake was natural,” 
said Ned. “But can you tell me if there is any 
connection between the package marked 
‘U-13’ and the submarine vessel of the same 
name? If there is, why should Mackinder, 
an Englishman, have anything to do with the 
package?” 

A smile greeted this query. Clearly the 
officer was amused. 

“If, as I suspect,” he stated presently, “the 
package contained information valuable for 
the ‘U-13’ do you not understand why Mack- 
inder would be glad to get possession of it? 
The ‘U-13’ is a German craft!” 

“Oh, yes,” cried Ned. “And the two coun- 
tries are at war!” 

“And you will also understand why, under 
the circumstances, we must feel honored by 


126 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


your presence, as well as that of Mackinder, 
for a little time. Just now we should hate to 
see you go!’’ 

‘‘Then we are going to be prisoners?” asked 
Jimmie. 

“Oh, no! Nothing so harsh as that!” reas- 
sured the other. “We will call it simply 
guests for the time being. That sounds bet- 
ter!” 

“Would you mind telling us what Mackin- 
der had to say about us?” inquired Ned. “We 
would like very much to know that!” 

“Consider,” temporized the officer, “how 
little time there has been since we first sighted 
you for conversation of any sort!” 

“Yes,” agreed the lad, “but he has told you 
something!” 

“Nothing of importance!” declared the 
other, rising to indicate that the interview was 
at an end. “You will be given quarters for- 
ward, where you will receive every considera- 
tion until we reach our destination.” 

“Where are you bound. Captain?” asked 
Jimmie. 

“Our destination just now is a lonely island 
in the North Sea,” answered the other. “It is 
heavily guarded, so you will be in no danger.” 

“Does Mackinder go ashore, too?” Jimmie 
continued. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


127 


‘^That has not been decided yet,’’ replied the 
commander. He touched a button, summon-' 
ing an orderly. ‘ ‘ Take these young gentlemen 
forward and see that they want no comfort. 
They are our guests!” he ordered. 

In a few minutes the boys were seated at a 
table in the forecastle, where they were pro- 
vided with a great profusion of well-cooked 
food from the sailors’ mess. With sharpened 
appetites they fell to eagerly. 

Since none of the members of the crew with 
whom they came in contact seemed able to 
speak English the boys were forced to content 
themselves with speculating on their destina- 
tion. 

They knew that the torpedo boat destroyer: 
had been headed nearly northeast when it 
overhauled and picked them up. They also 
knew that in this direction lay the entrance 
to the river Elbe and the Kiel ship canal, but 
whether the boat was making for some port 
in that vicinity they were unable to learn. 

Keenly as the lads regretted their lack of 
definite information they were not inclined to 
become despondent. They found it possible 
by using signs to carry on a sort of desultory 
conversation with the members of the crew, 
who had gathered out of curiosity in theii: 
vicinity. 


128 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


At length Frank jumped from his seat with 
an exclamation. 

^^111 bet I know where we he going!’’ he an- 
nounced, gleefully. 

‘‘So do I!” stated Jimmie in a nonchalant 
manner. 

“Where?” asked Frank, somewhat crest- 
fallen. “Aw, you don’t either!” he declared, 
after searching his comrade’s face intently. 

‘ ‘ All right, ’ ’ admitted Jimmie, laughing. ‘ ‘ I 
just wanted to take some of that overconfi- 
dence out of your system, that’s all!” 

“Where do you think we are bound for, 
Frank?” inquired Ned. 

Frank placed a finger on his lips, glancing 
about to make sure that no one was close 
enough to overhear his whispered words. 

“Helgoland!” he said, cautiously. 

Instantly the others jumped to their feet, 
slapping Frank’s shoulders, shaking his hands 
and otherwise showing their appreciation of 
his shrewdness. Their enthusiasm could 
scarcely be restrained. 

“Sherlock Shaw, The Scout Sleuth!” 
shouted Jimmie. 

“Frank, you’re the real, old-fashioned 
guesser!” declared Jack. 

“How did you do it, Frank?” asked Harry, 
admiringly. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


129 


‘‘Well, the commander said we were des- 
tined for a lonely island in the North Sea that 
was heavily guarded. I guess Helgoland fits 
that description right enough. Besides, as I 
?emember the geography of these parts, that’s 
about the first land we’d strike going on this 
course.” 

“But I understand that is a sort of naval 
base,” put in Harry. “Isn’t that the island 
where the Germans are fitting out so many 
of their Zeppelins? Seems to me I read some- 
thing about that in a paper.” 

‘ ‘ That ’s the very place ! ’ ’ put in Ned. “ The 
paper said it was a lonely, rocky island, diffi- 
cult of approach and quite well fortified.” 

“And book agents, canvassers, peddlers and 
rag men are not allowed there at all!” asserted 
Jimmie, gravely. 

“Take his pie away!” shouted Jack. “He’s 
raving again!” 

“And you have to deliver all goods in the 
rear,” added Jimmie, as Jack reached for the 
plate containing the lad’s breakfast. 

“Hurry up, let’s finish this food and get out 
on deck, where we will be able to see some- 
thing,” suggested Harry. “This is interest- 
ing!” 

Directly the boys were standing in the lee 
of a deck house eagerly scanning the horizon 


130 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


for some sign of the island where they ex- 
pected to be landed as prisoners of war. 

The gale gave no hint of abating. Indeed, 
the motion of the waves was much more no- 
ticeable. Jack attributed this partly to the 
build of the craft, whose lines were sharper 
than those of the Lena Knobloch. The sharp 
prow cut the water like a knife, while the slen- 
der, tapering stern slipped through the seas 
without making a roller of large proportions. 

Presently, just as Jack declared he could 
see a blue smudge in the distance, indicating 
the presence of land, the lads were joined by 
Mackinder. He glanced at the group without 
speaking. 

Speedily the vessel approached the object 
that had been sighted. 

An officer drew near. He conducted Mack- 
inder toward the stem. 

As the craft slowed slightly to enter a har- 
bor Jimmie grasped Ned’s arm. He pointed 
eagerly toward several large objects on land. 

There is a whole flock of Zeppelins,” he 
declared. ‘‘And as I live,” he continued, “I 
see a bunch of submarines at that dock over 
there!” 

“There must be a dozen or more!” gasped 
Frank, in amazement. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 




CHAPTER XII 

A NEW “U-13’^ APPEARS 

Eagerly the lads gazed at the strange sights 
before them. On their right rose several huge 
buildings; evidently workshops. On the left 
they could see a field devoted to the erection 
and testing of several gigantic dirigibles. 
Everywhere they saw bustling activity on the 
part of the numerous workmen. Sentries 
paced about with arms in readiness. 

^^That fieet of submarines looks to me as if 
Germany were preparing to destroy every ship 
in the world!’’ stated Jack presently, as the 
destroyer on which they stood passed the un- 
dersea craft. 

^‘The workmen seem to be fitting out some 
of the divers, too!” ventured Jimmie. ^^See 
them carrying packages aboard that outside 
one!” 

‘‘Maybe the grocer is coming to deliver the 
goods in the rear!” laughed Ned. “Those 
packages look like groceries in disguise!” 

“I’ll bet Mackinder would like to see those 
submarines!” Harry said. “He’d give his 
eyes almost for one good long look at them!” 


132 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


^‘Mackinder won’t see enough to carry any 
news back home from this place!” declared 
Prank. ^‘Didn’t you see the officer take him 
below?” 

‘‘Yes, I did! I also saw the black look he 
gave us as he was being taken away from this 
deck house. He likes us a lot — ^nit!” 

“I believe the commander of this craft is 
favorably disposed toward us,” put in Ned. 
“He probably realizes that we want to be neu- 
tral and that our presence in this neighbor- 
hood is due to our misfortune and not to our 
fault. I do wish, though,” the lad added, “that 
we could leave!” 

“How much would you give to get away?” 
questioned Jimmie. 

“I’d give a good deal!” replied Ned. “I 
don’t like the idea of remaining on this island 
a prisoner for any length of time!” 

“Well, if you’ll make it worth while,” Jim- 
mie offered, “I’ll take you along as a passen- 
ger. You must behave, though!” 

“Ah!” smiled Ned, thinking Jimmie was in- 
dulging in another of his jokes. “May I ask 
when your ship leaves?” 

“I’m thinking of leaving about midnight or 
a little after,” stated Jimmie, gravely. “It 
will depend somewhat on the wind and 
weather. If it comes on to blow and the sea is 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


133 


rough I believe we’ll get out on time. How- 
ever, if this breeze should die away, we may 
not go!” 

‘‘You’re rather reversing the order of 
things,” commented Ned. “Most captains 
want clear weather and smooth seas for their 
departure!” 

“Well, if it remains stormy, as it has every 
prospect of doing and you want a swift ride, 
you just keep watch of your uncle!” 

‘ ‘ Thanks ! ’ ’ laughed Ned. “You may surely 
count on me!” 

“May we go along, too, Jimmie?” asked 
Harry. 

“Sure, you may all go!” answered the lad. 
“But I warn you right now,” he added, “that 
you’ll have to work your passage!” 

“That suits me!” returned Harry, greatly 
amused at carrying on what he considered as 
a pleasant joke to while away the time. 

But to Jimmie, at least, the matter was not 
by any means to be regarded as anything but 
a serious proposition. The lad had quickly 
formulated a plan of escape. The very daring 
of his intended action was its best guarantee of 
success. Failure meant disaster, but Jimmie 
was prepared to risk all in the attempt. 

For a time the lad said no more. His tightly 
shut jaws showed the determination that pos^ 


134 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


sessed him. The others became absorbed in 
observing and discussing the monster Zep- 
pelin dirigibles, hence they said nothing more 
upon the subject. There was much to attract 
their attention. 

Directly they were summoned before the 
commander. As they entered the cabin the 
Sturmvogel drew up alongside a dock. 

Young men,’’ the officer began as the lads 
‘entered the cabin, ‘‘I regret keenly the circum- 
stances that seem to make it necessary for us 
to detain you. I understand how anxious you 
must be to reach your homes, but it is not pos- 
sible to permit you to depart at this time. You 
will be given every consideration during your 
stay at this place.” 

‘‘Can’t we go with you when you leave 
here^?” asked Frank. 

“No, that is impossible!” the other replied, 
shaking his head. 

“Then maybe some other vessel will call and 
we can get passage on it ? We are not particu- 
lar about the class of accommodations!” 

“You forget that for some distance in every 
direction the sea is mined. No vessels ap- 
proach this island unless they know the chan- 
nels.” 

“Then I guess we’ll have to be contented,” 
;ffighed the lad. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


135 


‘‘Is Mackinder going to remain here also?’’ 
questioned Ned. 

“I am very sure of it!” smiled the com- 
mander. “I believe that several members of 
the guard are quite prepared to insist upon his 
staying here until the knowledge he now pos- 
sesses would be of no use to his own country. 
Yes,” he added, “Mackinder will remain!” 

“I hope matters will be arranged so that we 
shall soon be able to leave for home,” stated 
Ned. “We are not anxious to leave good com- 
pany, but we would like to get away from the 
scene of so much trouble. We want to remain 
strictly neutral, and think the best place for 
that is at home!” 

“I haven’t a doubt of your neutrality!” de- 
clared the officer heartily. “You may be as- 
sured that I shall do everything to help you. 
I believe I can arrange so that certain privi- 
leges will be granted. It will not be necessary,. 
I am sure, to confine you to one of the build- 
ings.” 

“Thank you!” replied Ned, gratefully. 
“You are most kind.” 

“And now, if you please, we will go ashore 
to meet the officer in charge of this place, 
stated the other. “You will like him, I’m 
sure.” 

Congratulating themselves on the kindness 


136 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


shown in their behalf the boys prepared to 
leave the Sturmvogel. They collected the kits 
of the four who had left Amsterdam on the 
Lena Knobloch. As they gained the dock they 
found the small boat in which they had left 
the schooner. It was evidently being pre- 
served as evidence of the circumstance of the 
rescue. 

Already the work of provisioning and fitting 
the vessel was in progress. The wireless had 
been busily used during the last few hours of 
their voyage to the end that just the supplies 
needed were waiting at the wharf. A huge 
coal barge fitted with a ‘‘whirlie’’ had drawn 
up alongside. Great buckets of coal were 
pouring into the bunkers, while porters car- 
ried all sorts of stores and supplies aboard. 
Cases of ammunition were being hoisted 
aboard and stowed in their proper compart- 
ments. 

Stepping along the dock, dodging wagons 
loaded with fresh provisions and stores, the 
boys kept pace with their friend, the com- 
mander. 

Presently they reached one of the buildings 
given over to the use of offices. Here they 
were admitted into a room, where they found 
the officer in command of the island. 

A short conversation in German served to 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


137 


inform this gentleman of the situation so far 
as the commander of the destroyer could re- 
port. At the end of the recital the boys were 
addressed by the one they had been brought 
to visit, who had been introduced as General 
Gruenwold. 

understand that you young gentlemen 
lost an airship when the schooner sank*?’^ he 
inquired of Ned, motioning the boys to chairs. 

Yes, sir replied Ned. ‘‘It was, of course, 
a complete loss.’’ 

“Then you understand machinery pretty 
well?” 

“We have always thought so,” was the mod- 
est reply. 

“And electricity?” 

“Yes, sir. We understand wireless, also.” 

“Then I am fortunate. Perhaps you would 
consent to assist us in some difficult technical 
tasks we have on hand.” 

“We shall be glad to do what we may to 
reimburse you for our keep if you will be good 
enough to assist us to return to the United 
States!” 

“Let us discuss that at another time, if you 
please,” replied Gruenwold. “Just now we 
are short of practical electricians. If you will 
offer your services in that direction we shall 
be very grateful. You may be sure that we 


138 


BOY SCOUTS nsr the north SEA; 


shall not be forgetful when it is possible to 
reciprocate/’ 

Thank you,” replied Ned in acknowledg- 
ment of the indirect promise. ‘^Now, if you 
will show us what you want done we shall be 
most happy to proceed. I believe we have 
nothing else to do.” 

‘‘Here are some plans,” stated the other, 
opening a cabinet at one side of the room. “In 
these compartments are plans of certain ves- 
sels. You will observe on these sheets marked 
‘elek.’ complete diagrams of the plan of wir- 
ing. Take this one, for instance. Do you 
think you could understand what is meant by 
these tracings?” 

Ned studied the diagram for a few moments. 
The other boys leaned over his shoulder. Pres- 
ently, after conferring with his friends, the 
lad announced that he understood the draw- 
ings perfectly, even though he was unable to 
read the explanations which were in the Ger- 
man language. 

A smile lighted the face of Gruenwold as 
this statement was made. Evidently the need 
for completing the work was urgent. 

“In that case, we will ask you to accompany 
this orderly on board the vessel and proceed 
with the work. I will write an order directing 
the ones in charge of the vessel to admit you 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


130 


and render such aid as may be necessary. 
Later I will send a man who can speak 
English.’^ 

While the general was writing the neces- 
sary order to the ones in charge of the vessel 
to which he had referred the boys were busy 
communicating with each other by means of 
the mute language, in which they were quite 
adept. By supreme efforts they were able to 
suppress the excitement under which they 
were laboring. 

^‘What a piece of luck!’’ rapidly signalled 
Jimmie to Ned. 

^‘Keep cool!” cautioned Ned in reply. 
^ ‘Don’t give it away!” 

“Insist that we stay together on the job,’^ 
returned Jimmie. 

“You may be sure I shall do that!” came the 
answer instantly. 

“I hope the storm increases!” was Jack’s 
contribution. 

“Now, gentlemen,” announced the general, 
“if you are ready to proceed you may accom- 
pany this man. He will direct you to the 
work.” 

Ned bowed in acknowledgment and the 
party turned to accompany the orderly, who 
appeared in answer to the summons of his 
superior. 


140 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


They were led away from the dock at which 
the Sturmvogel lay. In a short time they had 
traversed a goodly distance toward the mouth 
of the harbor. Their destination proved to be 
the building adjacent to the group of sub- 
marine vessels. By inquiries both direct and 
indirect Ned and his companions decided that 
the orderly was unable to comprehend 
English, but for the sake of absolute safety 
they continued to use the sign language 
largely in their conversation as they pro- 
ceeded. 

In a short time they had been admitted to 
the outermost craft, which lay moored to its 
fellows. Communication had been established 
between the vessels by means of a row of 
planks laid from deck to deck. 

Once inside the submarine the boys made 
a hurried yet thorough examination of every 
part, taking a complete inventory of the exact 
state of affairs. Frank and Jimmie managed 
to overhaul the stores. Harry and Jack looked 
over the mechanical equipment. Ned, with the 
plans in his hands, went carefully over every 
detail of the electric system. 

say, fellows,’’ announced Ned at length, 
as all the lads met beneath the hatch, ‘‘this 
wagon is nearly complete. It looks a lot like 
the ‘U-13’!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


141 


‘‘That’s what it does!” agreed Jiimnie. 
“What more is needed?” 

“A few pieces of wire and about an hour’s 
;work for me.” 

“Prank and I have found enough food to 
last a couple of months if we can count hard- 
tack, sausage, and the supply of canned 
goods.” 

“Jack and I,” announced Harry, “have 
found the engines and pumps apparently 
ready for duty in a moment. My idea is that 
they are trying to get this vessel ready for a 
cruise at the first possible moment.” 

“It looks as if they are expecting a crew 
from some place and want the boat ready for 
duty as soon as the crew arrives!” stated Ned. 

Further conversation was cut short by the 
arrival of the orderly. 

“Essen?” he inquired, pointing at his mouth 
and rubbing his belt. 

“Don’t say it twice!” cried Jimmie. “We 
heard you the first time!” 

The boys prepared to follow the orderly, 
who evidently intended to escort them to the 
mess hall, where they would secure dinner. 

As they turned toward the iron ladder lead- 
ing to the hatch Jimmie, who had followed 
close upon the orderly’s heels, cried out: 

“Hello, Mackinder, where you from?” 


142 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XIII 

A THREATENING SITUATION 

Who’s there, Jimmie?” asked Ned, press- 
ing forward. 

Nobody now,” answered the other. 
thought I saw our friend Mackinder looking 
down the hatchway, but possibly I was mis- 
taken. At any rate he’s gone now and we’d 
better hurry on for dinner.” 

‘^Mackinder’s a prisoner here,” stated Ned, 
positively. 

“Maybe he broke loose,” suggested Harry. 

“All right, I’m going up to the deck and 
look about,” said Ned. 

As the boys reached the narrow confines of 
the small deck at the top of the conning tower 
they saw a figure hastening along the foot 
planks that led from vessel to vessel. The 
fleeing person was now almost at the building 
on the wharf. In a moment the shelter of this 
structure had been gained. The figure dodged 
out of sight. 

“Now, that’s a funny thing to do!” mused 
Ned. “I wonder just what the fellow wanted. 
Are you sure it was Mackinder, Jimmie?” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


143 


‘‘No, I^m not,’’ admitted the lad. “Of 
course, the face was in shadow as he looked 
down the hatch. I’m not positive, but thought 
it was he.” 

“Well, let’s not bother about it any more,” 
said Ned, apparently dismissing the subject. 
“We’re too hungry for any more mysteries!” 

As only hungry boys can the five attacked 
the ample dinner provided for them. The 
dishes were strange but appetizing. Jimmie 
declared that he intended to remain in that 
location for some time in order to become ac- 
quainted with the chef. He said that he would 
be the envy of the entire Wolf Patrol if he 
could cook in German style. 

After dinner the boys gathered in the lee 
of a small building, where they would be pro- 
tected from the chilling blasts. Puffy squalls, 
bearing dashes of snow, sleet or rain, came 
threshing out of the west. It appeared to the 
lads that the weather was growing decidedly] 
worse. 

In spite of the inclement weather a number 
of the hardy workmen were indulging in out 
of door sports during their rest hour. 

For some time the lads watched the games 
as the hardy men relaxed their work-tensed 
muscles. The sullen booming of surf on the 
rocky coast constantly sounded in their ears. 


144 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘There goes our late rescuer!’’ anuounced 
Jimmie presently. 

“Where?” asked Frank. “Whom do you 
mean?” 

“The Sturmvogel!” answered Jimmie, 
pointing toward the harbor, where could be 
seen the speedy destroyer slipping quietly out 
to sea. 

“Here’s hoping you have a good voyage, 
friend!” said Frank. 

“Yes,” added Jimmie, “we’ll see you a little 
later!” 

“That reminds me,” put in Ned, “we might 
as well get back to the ‘U-13’ and begin work* 
There’s no use delaying the game!” 

“That’s right,” agreed Harry. “These fel- 
lows are probably in a hurry for that sub- 
marine. We might as well be decent.” 

“Wait a minute,” suggested Jimmie* 
“You’ve given me an idea! Your mention of 
the name of a certain undersea craft started a 
train of thought in my alleged brain. Take it 
easy for a moment ! ’ ’ 

“Yes,” cried Jack, in mock sympathy, 
“stand back! Give him air! If Jimmie is 
really going to think, let’s give him lots of 
room!” 

“Aw, you go on!” scorned Jimmie. “I’ve 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


145 


got a right to think if I want to, haven’t I? I 
guess that’s my privilege!” 

‘‘Not unless you have a union card!” pro- 
tested J ack, laughing. 

“That’s all right,” retorted Jimmie with a 
grin as he wrinkled a freckled nose at the 
other. “I was going to think about a scab, 
anyhow, so I don’t need a card. Besides, this 
is on overtime!” 

“All right, you win!” declared Jack, sub- 
missively. “Go ahead!” 

“If you’ll promise to never, never tell. I’ll 
let you in on the scheme!” whispered Jimmie^ 
glancing about to make sure that no strangers 
were within earshot. “Do you solemnly 
promise?” 

“I do!” answered the boys in chorus, anx- 
ious to receive the news. 

“Then here it is: If we could paint the 
name ‘U-13’ on that tub there’s nothing to 
prevent our getting away in it!” 

“Hush, Jimmie!” cautioned Ned, in a 
startled tone. 

“Hush nothing!” declared the other boldly. 
“It’s now or never! The destroyer’s gone — 
everything’s gone that could chase us. Mack- 
inder’s loose on this island. He’ll make us 
trouble if we stay. If we go now we are safe 


146 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


from pursuit until another German boat comes 
in unless they flash the news by wireless. In 
that case, we have an even chance of getting 
away. If we don’t go now tell me when we can 
get home?” 

‘‘I guess you’re right, Jimmie, but how are 
you going to work it?” 

‘‘Simply putter along this afternoon,” ex- 
plained the lad, “flxing the wiring and so on. 
If necessary, rip out some and replace it. We 
can get in one another’s way enough to kill a 
lot of time. After supper we’ll manage to slip 
back to the submarine, paint ‘U-13’ on the 
side, every man to his post, let go lines easy 
and skedaddle for the open sea.” 

“It sounds easy enough,” assented Harry. 

“Yes, unless you happen to get caught!” 
agreed Ned. 

“What is there to catch us?” asked Jimmie, 
bristling at this hint of opposition. “The 
guards are all wise to the fact that the channel 
is mined. They will be sleepy and lazy. They 
know that the torpedoes are not aboard yet 
and believe it impossible for the submarine to 
leave without a crew. The weather looks as 
if it were going to be rough. What more can 
you want? It looks to me as if we’d never 
have another chance like it!” 

“Right you are, Mr. Wolf!” declared Frank. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-IS 


147 


for one, am willing to take a chance. Ill 
go with you to the limit 

‘‘Here, too!’’ heartily agreed Ned. “How 
about it, boys?” 

Eagerly the others signified their willing- 
ness to undertake the task suggested. They 
felt no compunction over the seizure of the 
boat. 

“Now, well have to do some tall thinking 
before night comes!” stated Jimmie. “Each 
of us ’ll have his station and we must know 
just what to do at the proper time. I had this 
in mind ever since we came up the harbor past 
those boats. I noticed particularly the buoys 
marking the safe channel leading into this 
harbor.” 

“Good for you!” cried Ned, administering 
an affectionate slap upon Jimmie’s shoulder. 
“I knew you Jiad something up your sleeve!” 

“So did I!” added Jack. “I couldn’t guess 
what it was, though!” 

“It was my arm!” declared Jimmie, with 
mock gravity. “Now, let’s go back to this 
‘Untervasserbootschiff’ and stall around a 
while.” 

“Correct!” cried Harry. “We’ll rehearse 
for this evening. We shall depend on Jimmie 
to be the pilot, though!” 


148 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEAj 


‘‘Leave it to me!” declared the younger lad. 
“I know where the buoys are! I have them 
all located in my head!” 

“But we must be mighty careful,” declared 
Ned. “We don’t know how much English 
these fellows understand. They must not sus- 
pect!” 

‘ ‘ Mmn ’s the word ! ’ ’ put in Frank. ‘ ‘ Every- 
body mum!” 

First visiting the warehouse at the wharf, 
where they procured a quantity of supplies, 
such as might be needed to carry out the work 
which they were supposed to be doing, the lads 
proceeded aboard the submarine. 

Upon their arrival they found a painter at 
work inscribing the vessel with identifying 
marks. He had proceeded so far as to place 
“U-1 — ” on each side of the vessel. Jimmie 
Joyfully declared that fortune was playing 
into their hands in this respect, and that if 
something would compel the man to quit 
work for a while the disguise could be quickly 
made. 

At Ned’s request Harry began fitting wires 
from the storage batteries to the motors used 
for propelling the vessel. The boys were 
startled to hear him utter an exclamation of 
dismay. They found upon inquiry that he 
had endeavored to strip the insulation from a 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


149 


wire by using bis pocket knife and bad cut a 
finger badly. 

‘‘Poob, poob!” stated Jimmie, upon discov- 
ering tbe wound. ‘‘Don’t make so much fuss 
over a little thing like that. We’ll soon bave 
you fixed up. Here, just bold tbe wound 
closed witb your other band while I bunt up 
some bandages. You’ll be all right in a min- 
ute!” 

But Harry declared that tbe wound pained 
excessively. He refused to treat tbe matter 
lightly, but gathered up tbe tools witb which 
be bad been working. These be deposited in 
a canvas bag in which they bad been brought 
aboard tbe vessel. 

Presently Jimmie located a first aid kit 
among tbe stores. He was not long in cleans- 
ing and bandaging tbe wound. 

“There you are!” be stated. “Just as good 
as new! Now go lie down for a little while. 
I’ll finish this job if I know enough.” 

Chatting together in a somewhat nervous 
manner the boys anxiously awaited tbe ap- 
proach of evening. As tbe time wore on their 
restlessness increased. Again and again they 
carefully went over each detail of their pro- 
posed plan for escape in tbe submarine. 

It was decided that Jimmie should take the 
wheel while Harry stood watch at the engineSc 


150 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


The others were assigned to various other 
duties at favorable positions. Nothing re- 
mained except to wait for night. 

A short time before darkness settled an or- 
derly visited the craft. He was able to con- 
verse slightly in English. 

^‘How are you getting along, boys?’’ he 
asked, as he stepped down the iron ladder. 

^ ‘^Can we put the torpedoes aboard tomor- 
row?” 

^‘Yes, I think you will be able to place the 
torpedoes after tomorrow morning,” replied 
Ned. ^ ^ We will have our work all done then. ’ ^ 

^‘That is good!” was the other’s comment. 
‘‘Where is Mackinder?” was his next ques- 
tion. “He will have to come ashore now!” he 
added. 

“Mackinder?” was Ned’s startled response. 
“He’s not here.” 

“But he was here!” firmly declared the or- 
derly. “He was seen by one of the sentries 
to come aboard this vessel, and has not since 
been noticed going ashore, although a close 
watch has been kept!” 

“We haven’t seen him at all!” stated Ned, 
just as firmly. 

“We shall have to search the vessel!” 
affirmed the orderly. “You will please remain 
aboard for a short time.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


151 


Quickly ascending the ladder the man sum- 
moned another soldier from the shore. To- 
gether the two made a hasty examination of 
the boat. 

Unable to discover any trace of the missing 
prisoner they shook their heads as if greatly 
puzzled. Now and again they glanced at the 
boys, exchanging at the same time comments 
in German. 

‘‘Come with us,’^ finally said the first vis- 
itor. 

Obediently the lads followed ashore. They 
were conducted to the office building, where 
they were shown into the presence of General 
Gruenwold at once. In a few words the or- 
derly stated the case. 

“This looks serious, boys,’^ commented the 
General. “Can you not explain the where- 
abouts of Mackinder? He is a prisoner, you 
know!’’ 

“We know nothing of the man!” declared 
Ned, earnestly. “We don’t like him and 
surely would not think of assisting him to 
escape!” 

“If you please, sir,” began the orderly, “it 
is the opinion of my comrade and myself that 
the boys have done away with Mackinder!” 

“What!” almost shouted Gruenwold, rising 
from his chair. 


152 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘ ‘ Yes, sir, ’ ’ continued the man. ^ ‘ There was 
found in the boat much blood. A hammer in 
their tool kit was also blood-stained. We 
think they possibly made away with him and 
might have dropped his body into the harbor 
very quietly without being seen from shore!’’ 

^‘This is serious, indeed!” gasped Gruen- 
wold. We shall investigate this in the morn- 
ing. Meanwhile, search the vessel again. The 
boys will be put in the guardhouse until to- 
morrow.” 

Protests on the part of the lads were un- 
availing. Gruenwold was determined in his de- 
cision. Ned’s explanation of the presence of 
the blood in the vessel was listened to, but 
without influencing the general. 

Directly the lads found themselves in a 
room used for the accommodation of such 
prisoners as might need confinement for a 
time. The island boasted no regular prison, 
but a house not far from the water had been 
utilized for the purpose. A guard paced a 
beat in the vicinity. 

Disappointed and angry at the turn of 
affairs the lads made but a poor supper of the 
food that was brought to them. Presently, 
they composed themselves to sleep on the floor. 

A tapping at the window attracted their at- 
tention. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


153 


CHAPTER XIV 

HELPED BY AN ENEMY 

‘‘What’s that?” inquired Ned, startled at 
the unexpected sound. 

“Loose board, I guess,” replied Jimmie, 
rather disgruntled at the turn affairs had 
taken. “The wind’s ripping everything 
loose!” 

Again the tapping was repeated in an in- 
sistent manner. 

“I’m going to see what’s going on here!” 
declared Ned, rising from his position. “Some 
one is trying to communicate with us!” 

“Some bloomin’ Dutchman’s tryin’ to ask 
us whether we want sausage with our pan- 
cakes for breakfast!” growled Jimmie. “Let 
’em alone!” 

Disregarding this statement the older lad 
proceeded toward the window, where fitful 
gusts of sleet beat. Outside the darkness cov- 
ered everything. Only an occasional point of 
light indicated a sentry hut. 

“Who’s there?” demanded Ned in a low 
tone. 


154 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Sh-h-hl’’ came a Mss from the darkness. 
^‘Open the window!’’ 

Ned fumbled a moment at the fastening. 
Presently he found the catch sliding the sash 
back in its channel. An exclamation escaped 
him as he did so. The face of the visitor was 
none other than that of their missing acquaint- 
ance, Mackinder. Ned was astounded. 

‘‘Thought you were dead!” he cried in 
amazement. 

“Hush!” cautioned the other. “Not so 
loud. Now, if you lads want to get out of here 
tMs is your time. Everybody’s busy or 
asleep!” 

“How do you know we want to get out of 
here?” demanded Jimmie in a low tone as he 
approached the opening. 

“Don’t you suppose I have eyes? I saw 
what you were up to!” 

“Oh, you did, eh? Then what do you want 
us to do?” 

“If you want to get away from this place 
according to your plan, now is the time to take 
action,” replied Mackinder in a whisper. “If 
you prefer to wait until tomorrow and stand 
trial for an offense of which you are innocent 
I cannot offer any objection of course.” 

“Ned, I think we’d better make our get- 
away while the going’s good!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


155 


‘‘Second the motion!’’ declared Harry, who 
had softly approached the window. “Let’s 
make a noise like a drum!” 

“I’m with you!” stated Frank, raising a 
foot to the window sill. 

“Easy there!” cautioned Jimmie. “Mind 
your step!” 

Frank was through the window in an in- 
stant. He landed on the earth with Mackin- 
der’s assistance without noise. Quickly the 
others followed. Ned took the precaution to 
slide the window shut. 

Cautiously the little group of six made their 
way in the direction of the wharf where the 
submarines were moored. Mackinder took the 
lead as if familiar with the ground. Once he 
paused, extending a warning hand to Jimmie, 
who was directly behind him. The lad per- 
formed a similar service for those in the rear. 
A sentry was approaching. 

Mackinder sank upon the ground. Although 
the night was too dark for the lads to see this 
action they were close enough to be aware of 
the movement. Instantly all followed suit. 

In a moment they breathed more freely. The 
sentry had passed within a few paces of their 
position. Evidently his feeling of security in 
the isolation of the island had made him some- 


156 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


what negligent of his duties. He proceeded 
against the storm with head bent low. 

Again Mackinder rose to his feet. Cau- 
tiously he crept forward. 

On tiptoe the party gained the shelter of the 
warehouse. 

‘^Gee!’’ declared Jimmie as the edge of the 
wharf was gained, clean forgot my kit! 
What shall we do?’’ 

‘^Hush!” warned Ned. ‘‘Don’t even dare 
think of your kit!” 

“I should say not!” put in Harry. “Think 
of your head instead!” 

“And the mines at the harbor entrance,” 
added Frank. 

“All right!” submissively agreed Jimmie. 
“I’ll keep quiet!” 

The wind had risen to such an extent that 
walking on the narrow planking was not only 
uncertain but extremely dangerous. Mackin- 
der solved the problem by dropping to all 
fours. The boys followed suit. 

Directly they gained the submarine, the 
hatch was placed quietly in position for 
prompt closing and the lines which held the 
boat were let go. 

Owing to the movement of the boats caused 
by the roughened surface of the harbor creak- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


157 


ings and groanings of the fenders had served 
to drown any noise the party had made in 
crossing the narrow bridge of planks. 

Jimmie held the wheel as Ned gave the sig- 
nal for casting off the lines. A touch of Harry’s 
hand on the lever started the engines. The 
submarine began to move. Suddenly a loud 
splash alongside attracted the attention of all. 
Frank came scuttling down the ladder. 

‘‘Now I’ve done it!” he gasped. “I forgot 
to shove the plank back onto the next boat 
and it fell into the water as we started!” 

“Wonder if the guard has heard it!” specu- 
lated Ned. “Let me up!” 

Under protests from his companions the lad 
mounted the iron ladder and thrust his head 
through the hatch. 

“I hear someone running along the dock!” 
he announced presently. “I’ll bet they have; 
heard that noise! I see a light!” he added. 

“What are they doing?” inquired Jimmie, 
holding the boat directly in the center of the 
channel as he peered anxiously ahead. 

“A fellow with a lantern is running out 
along the planks, ’ ’ replied Ned. ‘ ‘ They’ve got 
to the outside boat now. Now they’re turning 
back.” 

“Better get that hatch closed so we can 


158 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


dive, ’ ’ admonished Jimmie. ‘ ‘ This is our time 
for getting out of sight in a hurry!’’ 

<< There goes their searchlight!” shouted 
[Frank, who had crowded up the ladder close 
beside Ned. ‘‘They’re going to spot us in a 
hurry!” 

“Ah,” cried Ned as a sullen roar came to 
their ears. “They’re taking a chance shot at 
us from that cannon on the hill. Let’s dive!” 

Quickly the two boys adjusted the hatch. 
As they signaled to their companions that this 
task was completed Harry and Jack turned 
the deflecting rudders. The half -manned sub- 
marine slowly began to descend. 

“Get some water into the tanks quick, 
Harry!” called Jimmie. 

“Piunp’s going right now!” declared the 
other. “We’re going down!” 

“Take a look through the periscope, Ned,” 
requested the pilot, “and let me know what 
you can make out. Can you see any buoys 
ahead?” 

“Try to see if they’ve located us with their 
searchlight,” suggested Mackinder. “Maybe 
they are getting our range with that gun!” 

“Never mind about that searchlight,” 
snapped Jimmie. want to find out what’s 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


159 


ahead, not what’s behind us. We’ll run this 
boat!” 

simply wanted to know,” objected Mac- 
kinder somewhat ruffled at the lad’s peremp- 
tory manner. ‘‘No objection, is there 

“All the objection in the world!” declared 
Jimmie. “You’re quite welcome aboard as a 
passenger, but we’ll navigate the vessel, 
please!” 

Scarcely knowing whether to be amused or 
defiant at this attitude Mackinder chose the 
wiser course and refrained from further com- 
ment. 

Although the boys could not be sure that the 
persons on the island were making efforts to 
hinder their escape they felt the better course 
was to remain beneath the surface until well 
out of the harbor. 

Directly Jimmie called the attention of his 
comrades to an object in the water at no great 
distance ahead. The rays of the searchlight 
with which the submarine was provided indis- 
tinctly revealed a huge bulk slightly above the 
level at which they were traveling. 

“What is that, a ship?” asked Harry won- 
deringly. 

“I’ll bet a cookie that’s a mine!” declared 
Jimmie positively. “I’m going to give it a 


160 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


little more leeway, anyhow. It pays to be 
safe!’’ 

Ned was working the periscope in an effort 
to locate the buoys as directed by Jimmie. 
Occasionally he turned the glass toward the 
group of buildings they had just left. 

‘‘They’re shooting at us, I guess!” he stated 
presently. “I can see the flash of that cannon. 
It seems to be pointed this way!” 

“Let ’em shoot, they can’t see anything but 
the periscope and they’d have an awful time 
hitting that!” boasted Jimmie. 

Scarcely had the lad spoken before the ves- 
sel was shaken by the force of a mighty con- 
cussion. A gigantic wave tossed the craft up 
and forward with a heave that threw the boys 
oft their feet. 

“What was that?” gasped Jimmie glancing 
at his companions with a terrified face. “Has 
one of the fuel tanks blown up?” 

“Nothing doing!” replied Harry. “I think 
that cannon hit the mine we just passed. I’m 
glad we were no closer!” 

“We’ll soon be out of their range!” stated 
Jimmie. “Shut up your periscope and we’ll 
go deeper. Give us a little more speed, 
Harry!” 

In an hour Jimmie declared that they 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


161 


should be out of sight of the island altogether. 
The engines had been working at full speed 
ahead. Harry nursed the machinery con- 
stantly, knowing that it was new and would, 
therefore, require considerable care. Their 
urgent need for speed induced the lads to 
crowd the machinery to the limit, and Harry 
was gratified to note that every part responded 
properly to its task. 

^‘Well, Mackinder,” stated Ned as the ten- 
sion on their nerves began to relax with the 
increasing distance traveled, ‘‘we’re surely 
grateful to you for suggesting that we get 
away as you did!” 

“My motive was largely a selfish one, I must 
confess,” returned Mackinder. “I wanted very 
badly to get away from that island.” 

“How did they ever get hold of you, any- 
how?” questioned Jack. 

“I left Amsterdam the same evening you 
did. After the Lena Knobloch went past us 
as she did I knew there was little use trying 
to delay you. Therefore, my aide and myself 
left at once on a train for Eotterdam. There 
we found a fishing boat which we thought 
would answer our purpose. We induced the 
captain to take us aboard, intending to cross 
to England. After traveling some distance the 


162 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


storm overtook us. We were blown far out of 
our course. The vessel was badly battered. 
The crew left in a panic, leaving me on board. 
Just in time tbe German destroyer came along 
and took me off. That ’s it in a nutshell. ’ ’ 

‘‘Yes, and then when you discovered us in 
our little boat you went and told the captain 
of the destroyer a lot of nonsense, didn’t you^?” 
questioned Jimmie in a somewhat aggressive 
manner. “Why did you do it?” 

“I only told him that you had at one time a 
package that belonged to me. I wanted 
the package badly. I thought he would assist 
me.” 

“That wasn’t a very nice way to go about 
it,” declared Jimmie with emphasis. “After 
searching our baggage twice, and after we had 
told you how the package was in our kits 
without our knowledge, also that it had been 
stolen away from our possession, why didn’t 
you believe us?” 

“There is an old saying that all is fair in 
love and war!” replied Mackinder. “You 
know that my country and Germany are at 
war. As an officer in the British army, it is 
my duty to do everything possible to assist 
my country. I believe that package contains 
information that my country could use. That 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


163 


is my justification for my acts, and I hope you 
boys are fair-minded enough to hold no resent- 
ment.’’ 

‘^I’m just fair-minded enough to be neu- 
tral,” declared Jimmie, ^‘if I have to fight for 
the right to remain that way. I’m just a little 
sore at you for supposing that four boys who 
are citizens of a neutral country would be car- 
rying information around for another country 
at war!” 

‘^I’m sorry you feel that way,” said Mac- 
kinder. assure you there was nothing per- 
sonal in my acts. I simply tried to do my 
best!” 

‘‘Well, you did a lot, at that!” returned the 
lad. 

“All right, folks, let’s drop the subject,” 
spoke up Ned. “I feel that the air in here is 
getting bad. Suppose we go to the surface. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Eight you are, ” agreed Harry. “Let ’s rise 
and fill the tanks!” 

Jimmie, in compliance with this wish, 
steered the craft upward. 

At the surface the boys found the water 
much smoother than they had expected would 
be the case. Jimmie declared that he intended 
painting the balance of the name “TJ-13” on 
the vessel while the other lads were occupied 


164 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


in airing out the vessel and refilling the com- 
pressed air tanks. 

Slung in a boatswain’s chair over the slop- 
ing deck the lad soon completed this task. 
Feeling a considerable degree of elation at the 
success of his undertaking Jimmie returned 
with his brush and paint. 

‘^If you’re ready now we’ll dive again and 
proceed!” 

Wait a minute, Mackinder’s still on deck I” 
stated Jack. 

‘‘He wasn’t there when I came below!” pro- 
tested Jimmie. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


165 


CHAPTER XV 

MISTAKEN IDENTITY 

Ned looked at Jimmie in astonishment. He 
could scarcely credit his senses. He began as- 
cending the iron ladder leading to the deck. 

Eagerly the lad glanced about the upper 
portion of the submarine which now showed 
black and gleaming above the surface of the 
water. 

Harry,’’ he called down the hatchway, 
‘‘didn’t Mackinder say he was coming on deck 
to see if he could be of service to Jimmie?” 

“He certainly did!” answered Harry. 
“Then we went on working at the pumps. I 
was busy with the starboard pump because it 
wasn’t working just as it should. I saw him 
start up the ladder!” 

“And I saw him when he was about half 
way up!” put in Jack. 

“I’m equally certain he didn’t return, but 
it may be well enough to stop a minute to 
search the interior. Perhaps he came back.” 

In a moment all five boys were busily going 
over every corner of the craft. Prom stem tO’ 


166 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


stern they ransacked every place where it 
would have been at all possible for their guest 
to have hidden. 

At length they met in the space directly 
below the hatchway. 

^‘Find anything?’’ queried Ned glancing 
about the group. 

^‘Not a hint of anything at all resembling an 
Englishman!” stated Jimmie. ^‘Perhaps it 
would be a good idea to put an ad. in the 
paper.” 

‘^Tes,” scorned Jack. ^‘Like this: ‘Lost — 
one perfectly good Englishman. Finder please 
return to the “U-13” and receive reward’!” 

“Sure!” agreed Jimmie. “Have them 
charge it, please!” 

“Hush this nonsense, boys!” cried Ned. 
“This may be serious!” 

“Well, where is he?” protested Jimmie. 
“We haven’t got him!” 

“Maybe he fell overboard!” suggested Ned. 
“Let’s have a look.” 

Again the lad mounted the ladder. As he 
reached the small deck he peered anxiously 
about the vessel seeking what he hoped he 
might not find. 

The others came crowding after their chum, 
filling the space. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


167 


There he goes!’’ cried Jimmie pointing 
away to the north. 

‘‘Where?” inquired Ned looking in the di- 
rection indicated. “Oh, I see him,” the lad 
went on. “He’s swimming a good stroke, 
too!” 

“Is he crazy or just disgusted with the com- 
pany on hoard the ‘TJ-13’?” 

“Perhaps he thinks he’ll he picked up hy 
that boat!” stated Jimmie again directing the 
attention of his comrades to a small fishing 
craft. “They seem to he heading a course 
that will reach Mackinder.” 

“He was wise enough to take one of the 
life preservers,” said Harry indicating a space 
from which a huoy was missing. 

“Sure enough!” agreed Ned. “He’s no fool 
at any rate!” 

“Let’s wait a while to see if they pick him 
up,” suggested Jimmie. 

“If they don’t get him, we’ll chase over 
there and take him aboard again. What do 
you say?” asked Ned of the others. 

There was no dissenting voice raised to this 
suggestion. Eagerly the lads watched the 
boat momentarily drawing nearer the 
swimmer. 

In a short time the boat rounded to, losing 
her way in the water. ‘A sharp skiff was 


168 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


quickly launched over the side. Into this 
tumbled two men. They soon covered the dis- 
tance between their vessel and the swimmer. 
Without difficulty they succeeded in assisting 
Mackinder into the skiff, then put quickly 
back to the sailing vessel. 

^‘Ah, he’s safe at any rate!” gladly stated 
Ned. ‘^Now we can go on and finish our voy- 
age in peace! I’m glad he’s gone!” 

‘‘So am I!” declared Jimmie. “He’s a 
good fellow as one might say, but he’s too 
awfully stuck on getting some information 
for that bloomin’ Hinglish Harmy, don’t you 
know!” 

“That’s hardly fair, Jimmie!” laughed Ned. 
“He didn’t drop his ‘H’s’ and he did only 
what he considered his duty.” 

“He will probably get that fisherman to set 
him ashore on English soil as soon as possi- 
ble,” conjectured Jack. “Suppose we follow 
them.” 

“What for?” asked Harry. “Why should 
we chase after those chaps?” 

“Unless we do something of the sort, we’ll 
have to go at it blindly!” urged Jack. “We 
don’t really know where we are!” 

“That’s so,” admitted Harry reluctantly. 
“We haven’t a chart nor a course. We don’t 
know how far we are from anywhere at all!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


169 


might keep on steering just as we 
started,’’ stated Prank. ‘‘I believe southeast 
was the course we used coming away from 
Helgoland.” 

^^That course would surely bring us up 
somewhere,” put in Ned, “but it would be 
much better if we could find put exactly where 
we are. Then we could steer a course with 
intelligence.” 

“Aw, what do we need of a chart*?” scorned 
Jimmie. “We know that England lies to the 
southwest of us. It’s big enough so we can’t 
miss it. If we blunder into the coast we can 
just cruise along a ways until we come to some 
place or other and then head in.” 

“That’s a good idea, too,” agreed Prank. 
“When we get to a port we can turn the sub- 
marine over to the English authorities as a 
prize of war. They’ll probably be glad enough 
to get the machine.” 

“Then we’ll head for the little old U. S. A. !” 
cried Jimmie. 

“You’re right we will. When we get there, 
we’ll chase ourselves out to Long Island. The 
first thing I’ll do will be to get the factory 
started on another engine like the Grey 
Eagle’s!” declared Harry. 

“Good enough! Now let’s be ‘wenting’!” 
added Jimmie. 


170 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘'But, boys,'’ objected Ned, “this hit or 
miss fashion of navigating is not correct. 
Something may happen to change our course. 
If we don't know what we are doing, we might 
get into lots of trouble ! ' ' 

‘ ‘ Maybe you 're right, Ned ! " assented Frank. 
“What shall we dol" 

“I think we'd better cruise carefully along 
on the surface until we see a ship. We can 
ask them for our latitude and longitude. From 
that we'll be able to lay a course to any point." 

“Maybe they'll give us a chart, too!" put 
in Harry. 

“All right, then, here goes!" shouted 
Jimmie preparing to slide down the ladder. 
“Somebody'll have to keep on deck." 

Harry at once followed Jimmie into tho 
interior. The engines responded to his touch. 
The new “U-13" sprang forward half sub- 
merged. 

“We've got plenty of gas in the tanks, 
Harry," stated Jimmie to his chum as the 
latter moved about the interior looking after 
the machinery. “We're making only about 
fifteen miles now by this log." 

“I'll give them another touch," responded 
Harry. ‘ ‘ The sooner we get there^ the quicker 
we'll arrive, so here goes!" 

The increased speed of the engines urged 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


171 


the submarine ahead at a goodly rate. Jiimnie 
presently declared that the log indicator 
showed a good twenty-five miles an hour.i 
Those on the little deck above the conning 
tower found the increased speed uncomfort- 
able by reason of the dashing spray, but all 
ifelt that this was not unendurable. 

‘‘Sail, ho!’’ Ned presently called down the 
hatchway. 

“Where away?” asked Harry, looking up at 
his comrade. 

“Almost dead ahead!” replied Ned. “We’re 
overhauling them fast. It looks to be a three 
masted ship as nearly as I can make out!” 

“Hold your course, Jimmie!” directed Jack. 
“We’ll come up close enough to hail them in 
a little while just as we are heading! ” 

In a few minutes the ship was so close that 
all could make out the details of her rigging. 
It was a large three masted square-rigged 
vessel evidently in ballast for the hull was 
high out of water. 

“I believe they see us!” announced Frank, 
using a pair of binoculars he had found 
among the fittings of the submarine. 

“Can you make out the fiag at the peak?” 
asked Jack. 

“Yes, I think so. I believe it is the British 
flag.” 


172 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NOETH SEA; 


‘‘Then, they’ll be glad to help us out, espe- 
cially if they find that we intend to turn the 
‘U-13’ over to their government!” 

“I don’t know about that!” doubted Frank. 
‘ ‘ I see men running aloft. It looks as if they ’re 
rigging out studding sail booms on the main 
yards. And I see others on the topsail yards,” 
declared the boy. 

“Why, in that case, they’re trying to get 
away from us!” 

“It certainly looks that way. Now I can 
see men setting the studding sails on the 
booms. They are putting on every rag the 
old hooker will carry!” cried the lad excitedly. 

‘ ‘ I know why, ’ ’ stated Harry. ‘ ‘ They think 
we’re a German submarine chasing them and 
they’re trying to get away!” 

“Let’s run up a white flag, then,” urged 
Ned. “They ought to know what that means. 
They ’ll stop for that ! ’ ’ 

In response to this suggestion the lads 
quickly overhauled the flag locker finding just 
what they sought. The white flag was at once 
brought to the deck where it was bent on to 
the halliards. It fluttered gaily at the top of 
the short flagstaff. Some difficulty was ex- 
perienced in securing the staff because of an 
improperly fitting socket. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-IS 


173 


‘‘Do they seem to be making any changed” 
inquired Harry presently. 

“Yes,’’ answered Ned. “They’re crowding 
on more sail!” 

“Then we might as well give it up!” stated 
the other. “They’ll never stop for us. Our 
only hope is to dive and come up close to some 
vessel so they can’t get away before we ask 
the questions.” 

“Maybe that would be a good idea,” admit- 
ted Ned. “Anyhow, we’ll have to take down 
this flag. The signal staff don’t fit!” 

Disappointed because their efforts had been 
unavailing, the lads regretfully folded the flag. 
It was restored to its proper place. 

Harry, however, continued to urge the en- 
gines forward in the hope of eventually over- 
hauling the ship. This seemed to be within 
the range of possibilities, but the boys all knew 
the maxim concerning a stern chase, and were 
somewhat discouraged. Knowing that their 
intentions were of the best, they felt slightly 
aggrieved that the other did not stop. 

“I see a smoke away ahead of the ship!” an- 
nounced Frank after a few moments. ‘ ‘ I can ’t 
tell which way they are headed, though!” 

“At this rate of traveling, we’ll soon find 
out!” declared Jack. 

Evidently the smoke had been discovered 


174 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


by those aboard the sailing vessel, for the 
course was altered slightly in that direction. 

This change was noted by the boys. Jim- 
mie shifted the helm slightly in order to keep 
the submarine directly in the track of the ship. 

wonder what that other vessel can be,’^ 
puzzled hTed. ‘‘Let me take the glasses a mo- 
ment, Frank. I wish we were higher in the 
water, he added, “then we could get a better 
range of vision.’^ 

Long and earnestly the boy inspected the 
strange vessel. Presently he returned the 
glasses to Frank with a sigh. 

“What is it?’’ asked Jack with keen inter- 
est. 

“I believe it is a warship of some sort!” re- 
plied Ned. 

“Then they’ll capture us and take us to port 
mighty quick!” 

“I guess they’ll capture us all right!” put 
in Frank. “I can see the sailing vessel mak- 
ing signals. They’ve got a string of flags fly- 
ing from the foretopmast head. I don’t know 
what they mean, but they’re calls for help, 
or I’ll miss my guess! They are something 
like the U. S. flags!” 

Those on board the steamer had evidently 
seen the string of flags or else by the peculiar 
actions of the sailing vessel guessed that some- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP XJ-13 


175 


thing was wrong, for the boys saw that their 
course was at once altered. Prom the clouds 
of dense black smoke pouring from the fun- 
nels they knew that the stokers were being 
urged to their best efforts. 

In a short space of time the combined speeds 
of the two vessels brought them close together. 
As the other approached, Harry shut off the 
power of the engines, checking them to little 
more than steerageway. 

As the steamer passed the ship Ned could 
see that some communication had been made 
between the two. The steamer came quickly on. 

‘^Pass me up that white flag again, Harry,’’ 
requested Ned. ‘‘I think they’re coming up 
to speak to us, and I’d just as soon have that 
handy. Maybe these fellows might misunder- 
stand our motives, too!” 

wish now I hadn’t painted that ‘TJ-13’ 
quite so plainly on the sides!” grumbled Jim- 
mie. ^H’ll bet they’ve seen that!” 

‘‘Of course, they’ve seen it, but if we show 
a white flag they won’t do anything to us. 
They’ll let us ask questions!” 

In answer to this statement, a shot echoed 
across the water. A ball striking the crest of 
a wave sent a cloud of spray over the “IT-13.” 


176 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XVI 

A STRANGE DISCOVERY 

down that hatchway!’’ ordered Ned, 
:wiping the spray from his face. ‘‘Those fellows 
see the name ‘ U-13 ’ ! ” 

“Won’t they observe the white flag if we 
put it up*?” asked Jack. 

“I don’t believe they will!” Ned stated, 
“Better get below!” 

As if to emphasize the boy’s opinion another 
report echoed over the space of water separat- 
ing the battleship from the new “U-13.” 

This time the shell had been aimed a trifle 
too high. It went directly over the lads on the 
diminutive deck. Instinctively they all ducked 
their heads as the missile screamed wickedly 
in its useless flight. 

If anything was needed to decide the mat- 
ter, this last oflering seemed to serve the pur- 
pose. All three lads hastened down the lad- 
der without further parley. Ned lingered a 
moment to close the hatch. 

“Hang onto your hats!” cried Jimmie the 
next instant. 

“Let’s get down quick!” urged Jack. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


177 


‘‘Those fellows up there seem to mean busi- 
ness. My stars ! ’ ’ he added breathlessly, ‘ ‘ that 
last one was certainly a beauty! They are get- 
ting the range, too!’’ 

Already Harry had started the pumps, fill- 
ing the ballast tanks with water to assist the 
“U-13” in the evolution of the dive. The rud- 
ders were deflected to their extreme range. 
With decks inclined to an alarming angle, the 
submarine fled toward the bottom like a hunt- 
ed creature. Until the gauges showed a 
depth of twelve fathoms, Jimmie held the lev- 
ers in position. Then he brought the craft to 
an even keel. 

“It’s plain to be seen that we ’ll not get much 
help from any ship on the North Sea!” de- 
clared Jack at length, as the ballast tanks were 
found to trim the vessel. “They’re scared of 
us, I believe!” 

“They haven’t any reason to be scared of 
us!” stoutly protested Jimmie. “We have 
never done a thing to them. We’re absolutely 
neutral!” 

“It seems to be one thing to be neutral,” 
laughed Ned, “and quite another thing to con- 
vince other folks of the fact ! ’ ’ 

“They might at least have given us a chance 
to explain!” grumbled Jimmie. “We had a 
white flag flying for them to see!” 


178 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Yes/’ argued Ned, “but did you stop to 
think that we were showing ourselves in a 
bad light ? Eemember the newspaper accounts 
of all the damage done by a submarine'? I’m 
not surprised they ran away.” 

“And then we come along in a submarine! 
Of course, we couldn’t expect them to wait for 
a German undersea craft to come popping out 
of the ocean and waltz up alongside so they 
could say: ‘Good morning, Mr. Dutchman! 
Won’t you please accept this fine ship?”’ 
added Jack. 

“Well, I’m it!” declared Jimmie, joining in 
the laugh that followed Jack’s facetious re- 
mark. “The joke’s on me, all right! If I 
hadn’t painted that figure ‘three’ in the name, 
we would have been on our way to England 
by this time ! Oh, well, ’ ’ the boy added, ‘ ‘ we ’ll 
get to England before long, anyhow, so I 
should worry!” 

“It all shows, boys,” spoke up Ned, “that 
we’ve got to be mighty careful about our ap- 
pearance and the company we keep. We have 
gotten into this scrape largely because we were 
found in possession of goods we had no busi- 
ness to have. This last incident came about 
because we pretended to be something we were 
not!” 

“I think that ought to be a good lesson to 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


179 


us/’ stated Jimmie. ^‘It will be for me, I 
know ! I ’m sure I ’ll take it to heart ! ’ ’ 

^^I’m mighty glad we’re away from that in- 
quisitive gunboat!” put in Frank. ^^Now, 
what’s the next thing for us to dol” 

move that we keep below the surface 
for a while. If we hold on a general south- 
easterly course, as has been suggested, we 
can’t fail to bring up somewhere on the Eng- 
lish coast.” 

^^That sounds like the most reasonable 
plan,” agreed Frank. ‘‘I propose that we put 
on speed and hurry along. Let’s get some- 
where!” 

‘^Here we go!” cried Harry, increasing the 
speed with a touch on the levers. “Let’s keep 
a sharp lookout, though!” 

About half past three o’clock the boys de- 
cided to rise to the surface for the necessary 
airing of the vessel and storing of another sup- 
ply of fresh air in the tanks provided for that 
purpose. 

In furtherance of this plan, the rudders were 
shifted while Harry slowed the engines. Di- 
rectly the craft ascended. The gauges indi- 
cated a depth of about eight fathoms when 
Jimmie, who was at the helm, requested that 
the rudders be again deflected. 


180 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘What’s the matter?” questioned Ned, step- 
ping forward. 

“I can see the light reflected down through 
the water, and there’s a big shadow up there !” 
declared Jimmie. 

“What do you think it can be?” asked Ned 
wonderingly. 

“Probably it’s a big vessel of some sort. It 
may be a war ship, or it may be only a cargo 
carrier. In either event I don’t want to get 
tangled up in the propellers. Let’s sheer off 
a bit.” 

“All right,” agreed Ned. “I’ll go to the 
periscope. Maybe I can And out something 
as we rise slowly to the surface.” 

Cautiously creeping nearer the surface, the 
lads put the periscope into action. By its 
aid Ned made out that the craft was an armed 
vessel. The new “U-13” lay just submerged 
about a ship’s length to starboard of the 
stranger. They maintained about the same 
speed. 

Ned declared that he could make out the 
British flag at the stern of the other vessel. 
He stated that he could also notice a num- 
ber of people aboard the steamer. 

“Can you see what they look like?” asked 
Jimmie, 

“They are regular sailors and marines,” an- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


181 


swered Ned. went on the lad excit- 

edly, ^Hhat looks like Mackinder at the rail!’’ 

Curiously the others crowded about the ob- 
ject glass of the periscope. Each declared in 
turn that they recognized Mackinder. 

‘‘Now, I wonder what he’s doing aboard that 
vessel!” mused Jack. 

“Quite likely this ship met the fishing boat 
and took him off so as to save the other the 
trouble of going clear back to England!” 

“No doubt that’s it,” agreed Jack. “But 
look!” he continued, “he’s discovered us! See 
him pointing toward us!” 

“Better get ready to dive, then,” cautioned 
Harry. “If he’s able, he’ll get them to shoot 
at us. If they hit the ‘U-13’ it’ll be a long way 
to Tipperary for us! We don’t know how 
thick this armor is!” 

“Down we go!” shouted Jimmie, seizing the 
wheel. “Lively, now!” 

Even as the boy spoke, a muffled roar was 
distinctly heard by the lads in the submarine. 
A crash that reverberated through every por- 
tion of the vessel told that they had been hit 
by a projectile. 

With a quick, startled glance at his compan- 
ions, Ned hastened aft to examine the possible 
damage. He could discover no leak. 

“I guess we’re lucky, after all!” he stated 


182 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


presently. “ We ’re not taking in water, so I ’m 
sure they didn’t do very much damage.” 

“It might have been more serious, though!” 
commented Jack. 

“Maybe the shot just carried away some 
of the light work like railings and so on around 
the deck. I don’t think the shot struck the 
hull, or we’d have heard more racket,” went 
on Ned. 

“Let’s keep below the surface for a while. 
Maybe we can get away from those fellows 
far enough to be out of their sight while we 
change air. They’re not the least bit so- 
ciable!” 

“Pull speed ahead, Harry!” cried Frank. 
“Let’s hurry on!” 

“Better take it easy,” cautioned Jimmie. 
“We may not be out of the woods yet. Let’s 
just go along slowly for a while.” 

“Aw, go on!” scorned Frank. “What’s 
there out here to bother?” 

“Sure!” chimed in Jack. “We’re away out 
in the North Sea where we can find nothing 
but warships and sailing vessels and such!” 

“Maybe we might run into the real ‘U-13’,” 
countered Jimmie. ‘ ^ Then, what would you do 
if you should meet that fellow?” 

“Why, put on steam and run away from 
him, of course!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


183 


‘‘All right, go ahead if you want to,’’ sub- 
mitted Jimmie unwillingly, “but I don’t think 
it wise. It ’s taking considerable risk ! ” 

Since the majority seemed to be in favor of 
more speed, the engines were again urged to 
greater effort. Suddenly all were startled by 
a cry from Jimmie. The boat swerved sharply 
to starboard, rolling until the deck was at 
an acute angle. Harry reached for the levers, 
prepared to stand by the engines for orders 
from the pilot. 

Directly Jimmie rang a stop bell. The ves- 
sel came again to an even keel. The boys were 
once more able to stand upright. 

“What’s the matter, Jimmie'?” cried Ned, as 
he scrambled to his feet. “Is it a whale, or did 
you nearly have a collision'?” 

“Collision is exactly the word!” declared 
the other. “I saw the masts of a ship standing 
right in our path. I got this little craft turned 
just in time ! That’s what we get for blunder- 
ing along so fast!” 

“What kind of a ship is it'?” asked Frank, 
peering from one porthole after another. “Are 
you sure it was the mast of a vessel'?” 

“Why, certainly, I am sure!” was Jimmie’s 
decisive answer. “Don’t I know a ship’s 
masts? I surely do!” the lad answered his 
own question. 


184 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘Let’s swing around and see what it was,” 
proposed Frank. 

“All right, turn the deflecting rudders and 
down we go!” 

Swinging in a broad circle, the submarine 
was directed downward to a level equal with 
that of the hull of the ship, whose masts had 
so nearly proven disastrous to the boys. As 
the craft sank deeper the crew watched with 
a great deal of curiosity from the thick glasses 
over the portholes. Carefully they studied 
every detail of rig. 

Although the sunshine penetrated to some 
distance below the surface, they found that 
at the depth where the hull lay a semi-twilight 
prevailed. The upper portions of the masts 
had been clearly visible, but the decks lay 
in a haze that prevented their seeing well. 

“Looks like the ship is almost new!” stated 
Frank. 

“Possibly it has been sunk only a short 
time,” ventured Jack. 

“Can you make out what ship it is?” asked 
Ned. 

“Wait a minute until we pass the stern 
again,” said Frank. 

“I can see it!” declared Harry in a mo- 
ment. “It’s the Wanderer of Sydney! That 
will be an Australian vessel!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-IS 


185 


^‘And that great gap in the port side indi- 
cates that the sinking was the work of our 
namesake ! ’ ^ stated Ned. ‘ ‘ This is another vic- 
tim of the German ^U-13\ Probably it is only 
one of many!’’ 

‘^No wonder the other fellows don’t seem 
inclined to be any too sociable!” said Jack. 
‘‘They really cannot be blamed!” 

“Right you are, Jack,” responded Ned. 
“When anyone hits at the pocketbook we’re 
apt to consider everybody under suspicion.” 

“Let’s get closer and examine the damage 
done by th^. torpedo,” suggested Frank. “I’d 
like to observe the effects of the attack.” 

Shortly the misnamed “U-13” was creepiug 
alongside the hull of the sunken vessel. Jim- 
mie handled the wheel dexterously, ever alert 
for possible danger. Harry stood by the en- 
gines, ready at a moment’s notice to assist in 
executing any maneuver desired. 

“Looks as if the whole side of the ship had 
been torn away,” stated Ned, as the submarine 
crept slowly past the jagged wound. 

“Those torpedoes surely are powerful,” 
agreed Frank. “I hope everybody got away 
from the ship before the explosion took place.” 

“They probably gave the crew plenty of 
time to escape if this is the work of the 
‘U-13’,” commented Ned. “You say they gave 


186 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


the crew on yonr vessel ample time to get 
safely away?” 

^‘Yes, but the men let themselves become 
panic-stricken. They lost their heads and con- 
sumed a good deal of time. Besides that, they 
forgot they were civilized. One of them hit 
me an awful clip.” 

‘‘And pretty nearly left you on board to be 
drowned!” 

“These fellows did the same thing!” an- 
nounced J ack, peering out. 

“Did what?” queried Ned, wondering what 
the other meant. 

“Left a man aboard when the ship sank,” 
stated Jack, pointing through the little port 
hole. ‘ ‘ There he is, walking about ! ’ ’ 

Clearly the boys saw a figure apparently; 
crossing the deck. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


187 


CHAPTER XVII 

ALONE AND HELPLESS 

I 

^^Good night!’’ almost shrieked Frank. 

That’s nncanny! Whoever heard of a man; 
walking about at the bottom of the ocean"?” 

Where did he come from, Jack?” asked 
Ned. 

“I saw that figure come out of the compan- 
ionway,” stated Jack. thought I was mis- 
taken at first, because of the dim light. I 
looked again as you boys were talking. Then 
I saw that it was the figure of a man, appar- 
ently. He seems to be carrying something in 
his arms!” 

<< There he goes over the side of the vessel!” 
whispered Harry in an awestruck voice. 
^‘What sort of deal is this, anyway?” 

^^Did you notice the knapsack thing he was 
wearing on his back?” asked Frank. ‘Hf I 
was superstitious, I’d say it was the ghost of 
a soldier who had been drowned and was seek- 
ing his way back home!” 

We don’t take any stock in that ghost busi- 
ness!” declared Ned stoutly. ‘'Some things 


188 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


may look supernatural because we don’t un- 
derstand them, but there’s always an explana- 
tion if we seek it!” 

‘‘What is your explanation of this thing, 
Ned?” questioned Jack. 

“Probably some mass of seaweed or some 
other substance got caught in a current and 
lodged against the cabin on the Wanderer. 
When we circled about the wreck we set up 
counter currents that may have released this 
mass. It then floated along in the current to 
finally sink on the other side of this submerged 
hull. That ’s all there is to it ! ” 

“I wonder what sort of a current is bringing 
the bloomin’ thing back again!” announced 
Jack as Ned concluded his explanation. “It’s 
moving its lower edges most remarkably like a 
man walking!” 

Ned’s look of bewilderment increased. 
Clearly the boy was puzzled. Even he, him- 
self, was not quite satisfied with the explana- 
tion of the strange sight which had greeted the 
boys. 

Slowly forging ahead, the submarine passed 
toward the stem of the Wanderer, shutting 
the strange figure out of sight. 

“Turn around the stern again, Jimmie,” re- 
quested Ned. “Go easy on the engines, and 
we’ll have a look from a new angle. This is 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


189 


getting rather spooky, I must say. I want to 
examine into it!’^ 

Again the false ‘‘TJ-13” rounded the sterij 
of the wreck. Slowly the craft nosed along 
the port side to a point abreast the mizzen 
chains. Directly at a signal from the pilot, 
Harry shut off power altogether. 

The strange magnetism that seems to exist 
in all objects at sea slowly drew the submarine 
toward the ship. Its drift had been sufficient 
to bring the vessel to a point abreast the main 
rigging before it stopped. 

By this time the craft had approached close 
to the wreck. A very slight jar told the boys 
that their vessel had touched the other. Ea- 
gerly all watched from the portholes, now but 
a short space above the level of the rail across 
which they looked. Directly all was still. At 
this depth no movement of water was discern- 
ible. 

Eeeling awed by the strangeness of the situ- 
ation, the boys refrained from speech. They 
watched for the reappearance of the strange 
figure. 

Soon Jimmie hissed a warning. He reached 
out a hand to turn the switch controlling the 
lights. The boat lay in utter darkness. 

A figure stepped out of the Wanderer’s com- 
panionway. 


190 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


It appeared to be that of a person of medium 
build. The boys could now see that it was 
clothed in what seemed to be a diver’s suit. 
The helmet, however, was not connected to any 
air pipe. Neither was there a line leading 
upward to indicate the presence of assistance. 
A hump on the shoulders, giving the impres- 
sion of a knapsack, afforded much wonderment 
and increased the mysterious look of the new- 
comer. 

‘^Sh-h-h!” warned Ned in a sibilant hiss, as 
the figure came directly toward their position. 
‘‘Keep quiet!” he whispered. 

A few steps carried the stranger to the rail. 
The boys saw him give a start of amazement 
as he prepared to go over the side of the ship. 
Clearly the strange diver was surprised to see 
the craft in that position. He stepped back 
a pace, then came gingerly forward. 

Evidently the man was astonished to ob- 
serve the “U-13”. He climbed slowly into the 
main shrouds. From that position he sur- 
veyed the craft more completely. Again he 
returned to the deck. 

During this examination the lads had re- 
mained quietly at their posts, not caring to 
make their presence known until they were 
sure of the identity of the other. They still 
remained with their faces at the portholes. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


191‘ 


where they observed, so far as possible, every 
move of the stranger. 

Directly they observed the diver pick up 
the burden he had brought from the cabin. He 
hastened to the rail of the wreck. In a mo- 
ment he had clambered overboard, letting him- 
self down by means of a line secured to a be- 
laying pin at the mainmast. 

‘^That’s funny!’’ observed Ned, as the other 
disappeared from view. ‘‘What do you sup- 
pose made him scuttle out of sight so hur- 
riedly?” 

“Maybe he, like the warship, saw our name 
— ‘U-13’ — on the side of the vessel!” ventured 
Jimmie. ‘ ‘ They all run away from that ! ’ ’ 

“It surely doesn’t make us many friends!” 
declared Ned. 

“You’re right!” answered the other. “It’s 
the original killjoy!” 

“Let’s dive a little deeper,” suggested Jack. 
“Perhaps we can find out where this new 
chap is going with those bundles.” 

“Perhaps we’ll find out how he got here!” 
added Frank. 

“And while you fellows are ‘perhapsing’,” 
put in Jimmie, “I’ll say that perhaps we’d bet- 
ter stick out ! Perhaps he doesn ’t want us nos- 
ing around his property, and perhaps he’ll 
touch off a bomb!” 


192 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘What’s the matter with you lately?” in- 
quired Frank. “You’re getting to be a regu- 
lar little ‘f raid-cat’! You never used to be 
so timid about sticking your nose into other 
people ’s business ! ’ ’ 

“I’m not afraid to go looking into things 
now, only I’ve got a hunch that we’d better 
not do it, that’s all!” answered the lad. “Just 
because I happen to want to leave a fellow 
alone is no sign I’m a ‘f raid-cat’. If you lads 
want to go anywhere, you tell me the name of 
the place. I’m game to stick with you -until 
they turn out the lights!” 

“Spoken like a man, Jimmie!” declared 
Frank. “That sounds like the old Jimmie 
we used to know. Now, let’s go down a 
ways.” 

Harry sprang to the levers. A few shifts 
of the control brought the storage batteries to 
work operating the pumps. With the addi- 
tional water admitted by this process, the false 
“U-13” sank until far below the level of the 
rail of the wreck; Still deeper and deeper it 
settled. 

Presently the boys at the port holes could 
discover the bends of the sides, indicating that 
they were nearly to the ocean floor. In an- 
other moment a slight bmnp told them that the 
craft rested on bottom. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


193 


‘‘I saw a flash of light just now!” stated 
Jimmie. 

‘‘Where did it come from?” asked NeU, 
stepping forward. 

“Just ahead of us on this side of the ship 
The shadow lies heavily there, so I can^t make 
out what’s located in that place!” 

The boys had not long to wait, however, to 
discover the cause of the flash which Jimmie 
had seen. Almost following the boy’s words 
came a dazzling beam of light, piercing the 
dark shadow like an arrow. For a moment 
the boys were blinded as the searchlight’s 
flame played on the forward part of their ves- 
sel. 

Presently the light shifted. It was turned 
against the side of the sunken Wanderer. Up 
and down the light traveled, revealing the 
rugged sides of the hull, with its covering of 
barnacles below what had been the water line. 
Outward the beam went, showing nothing but 
ocean floor. Fishes were illuminated and daz- 
zled by the strong ray. 

Finally the light returned to the false 
“U-13”, where it settled for a moment. Di- 
rectly the light was turned off. 

Jimmie had been shading his eyes with a 
protecting hand. He was, therefore, not so 


194 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


much blinded by the glare as the others had 
been. 

‘‘There they go!’’ he cried, as the light 
was removed from the port hole through which 
it had been shining. “They’re rising!” 

“Who can it be, I wonder?” questioned Ned. 

“I’ll never tell you!” declared Jimmie. “Oh, 
yes, I will, too!” he amended his statement. 
“If you want to know, it’s the ‘U-13’!” 

“The ‘U-13’?” questioned the lads in cho- 
rus. 

“The ‘U-13’!” positively stated Jimmie. 
“Here,” he cried, turning a switch leading to 
the searchlight. “Take a look!” 

The powerful storage batteries on the vessel 
occupied by the boys generated a ray of light 
that pierced the darkness of the undersea 
world with ease. Sharply outlined in the circle 
of flame the lads clearly saw the form of a 
submarine vessel similar in many respects to 
their own. There was the same sharp prow, 
the same tapering stern with conning tower, 
keel, port lights, and every essential feature 
of the vessel upon which they were located. 

Outlined upon the side, in letters fully the 
same size as those upon their own vessel, the 
lads saw distinctly the mark “U-13.” 

“What do you know about that?” gasped 
Frank. “That’s fierce!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


195 


‘‘Is it the same vessel you saw off Land’s 
End, Prank?” asked Ned. 

“I’m sure I can’t say,” returned the other. 
“I think it is! Of course, we’re somewhat be- 
low it. Besides the difference in perspective 
from this angle the water has a great deal to 
do with changing the appearange of every- 
thing. The general outlines appear similar, 
however.” 

“Then we’re in a ticklish position!” de- 
clared Ned. “Suppose those fellows take it 
into their head to torpedo us?” 

“If they do,” stated Frank decisively, 
“they’ll play havoc!” 

“They’re going over the wreck!” stated 
Jimmie in a whisper. 

“Let’s rise a little and see which way they 
head for,” proposed Frank. “We can then go 
in the opposite direction for a while.” 

“I think we’d better slide right along to 
the southwest,” stated Jimmie. “I know I’m 
meeting a good deal of opposition, but I’ve a 
hunch that we’ll be better off if we get right 
away from this spot!” 

“Been reading that dream book again, lit- 
tle man?” asked Ned, with a laugh. “Sorry, 
Jimmie, but the majority seems to be against 
you!” 

“ All right. Boss!” returned Jimmie with 


196 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


a smile. ‘‘I’m game to stick with the bunch! 
You’ll find me right here smiling all the 
while!” 

“Jimmie,” gravely stated Ned, “I wish we 
could all get some of that sunny disposition 
of yours. We need a lot of your optimism.” 

“Thanks!” was Jimmie’s reply, delivered 
with an excess of politeness. “Now, I’m at 
the wheel. Captain. Where to, sir?” 

“Let’s rise first and see what the other is 
doing!” 

“Ding, ding!” cried Jimmie. “Touch up 
the mule, Harry!” 

Harry’s manipulations of the levers brought 
the false “U-13” rapidly to a level with the 
Wanderer’s deck. Through the port lights 
the boys could see the other submarine across 
the sunken ship. It seemed to be gradually 
descending toward the bottom. 

“Let’s follow them and see where they go!’^ 
proposed Jack. 

“At your service, sir!” cried Jimmie, sa- 
luting. “We’ll proceed to proceed!” he added 
with a grin. “Here goes after the real 
‘U-13’!” 

“Go ahead slowly, Harry,” cautioned Ned. 
“We don’t want to overtake them yet. We’re 
in the shadow here, so they probably won’t 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


197 


see us if we hang back a little. Just give 
the wheel a little kick.’’ 

Slowly the vessel carried the boys over the 
sunken Australian. They were passing be- 
tween the main and mizzen rigging at a level 
slightly lower than that of the main yard. 

‘‘What’s that just ahead of US'?” queried 
Jack, at the porthole. 

“I don’t see anything,” replied Ned. 
“What and where is it?” 

“Eight here,” declared Jack, pointing. 
“No, you’re too late! I thought it looked like 
a snake in the water at first, but I see it was 
only a piece of rope hanging from the rigging. 
It’s all right!” 

“Possibly it has been hanging down all the 
time but the current caused by the passage of 
the other vessel swung it outward,” ventured 
Ned. “It will no doubt slip past in a mo- 
ment!” 

But this prediction was not fulfilled. With 
a sudden lurch, the stern of the false “U-13’^ 
rose, tilting the deck sharply forward. 

With a groan the propellers stopped. 


198 


BOY SCOUTS m THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XVIII 

HELP PROM A STRANGER 

Harry uttered a sharp cry as he stumbled 
forward along the steep incline of the floor. It 
seemed as if some huge power had grasped 
the stern of the craft, raising it until the ves- 
sel tilted forward at an angle which rendered 
walking impossible. 

All the boys were thrown toward the for- 
ward end of the vessel, where Jimmie was lo- 
cated. Ned and Jack lost their footing. They 
rolled awkwardly to the forward bulkhead. 
Harry and Frank managed to remain upright 
by hurriedly grasping at parts of the machin- 
ery or at stanchions. Their progress was un- 
dignifled as well as sudden. 

‘‘What’s up?” sharply questioned Jimmie, 
regaining his feet. 

“The stern’s up!” facetiously replied Jack, 
also struggling to a standing position. “Is 
anybody hurt?” the boy continued. 

A brief examination disclosed the fact that 
beyond a few minor bruises none of the boys 
had been seriously injured. Their flrst care 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


199 


was for eacli other. All were glad to find no 
one badly hurt. 

‘‘What on earth can have happened to usl’’ 
asked Ned, peering from a port light on the 
starboard side. “Did we collide with some- 
thing?’’ 

“I don’t believe we did,” returned Harry. 
“There wasn’t any bump as if we’d run into 
another object. We just stopped!” 

“And then the stern went up into the air 
and stayed there!” put in Jack. “Something’s 
got us by the stem and won’t let go!” 

“I think I know what it is!” announced 
Frank. “What is it they call these fishermen 
with a big net dragging around?” 

“Fishermen!” answered Jimmie, with a 
grin. 

“Stop your nonsense!” ordered Frank, ad- 
ministering a friendly punch to his red-headed 
comrade. “I mean the fellows with a big drag 
net!” 

“Trawlers is the word you want, Frank!” 
said Jimmie. 

“That’s it!” agreed Frank. “I’ll bet we’re 
tangled in one of their nets. Maybe we can’t 
get loose again, either,” he added. 

“Don’t you believe it!” scorned Jimmie. “If 
it was a fisherman had hold of us, we’d be 
yanked around pretty lively. I think it is 


200 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


that rope we saw hanging in front of the port 
light!’’ 

‘‘I believe you’re right, Jimmie!” Ned put 
in as he gazed through the heavy glass on the 
port side. ‘‘I can see that we’re swinging 
close to the mainmast. There is no motion 
to the boat, so that makes me think your solu- 
tion is about right. Now to get loose!” 

^‘Yes, I agree with you!” stated Harry. 
^‘But how? If your assumption is correct, 
we’ve got a big piece of line wound around 
the outboard end of the shaft. It is prob- 
ably more or less tangled up in the propeller 
also. We can’t turn the engines over!” 

‘‘Maybe we could throw out the clutch and 
turn the shaft backwards enough to unwind 
the line!” suggested Frank. 

“I’m in favor of rising to the surface if the 
slack of line will permit,” offered Jack. “We 
cculd then open the hatchway. It would be 
easy enough from there to clear the line from 
the screw.” 

“That’s probably the best way out of it,” 
commented Ned. “Suppose we try that. 
Harry, can we rise as Jack suggests?” 

“I don’t know,” came Harry’s hesitating 
reply. “I’ll try!” 

Accordingly the boy clambered from his po- 
sition near the forward bulkhead to the com- 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


201 


partment amidships, where the pumps were 
located. A shift of valves followed by a touch 
on the levers connecting the storage batteries 
with the electric pumps started the process of 
emptying the ballast tanks. 

Almost instantly the forward end of the 
craft began to rise. V ery shortly the deck was 
in a level position. Then, as Harry continued 
to empty the water ballast, Frank and Ned, 
assisted by Jimmie and J ack, threw the clutch 
on the propeller shaft out of contact in order 
to permit the tail shaft to turn without moving 
the engines. 

They then endeavored to turn the portion 
of the shaft which projected through the stem 
bearing in the back up motion to free the 
propeller. They hoped thus to release the 
rope which they believed to be wound around 
the outboard portion of the shaft. 

Strive as they might, however, the shaft 
stubbornly refused to move. Their utmost 
efforts were unavailing. 

At length, out of breath and exhausted, Ned 
sank back upon a locker. He looked at his 
companions with a curious expression. 

‘^What’s the matter, Ned?’’ inquired Jack 
anxiously. ^^Are you ill?” 

feel badly, boys,” replied Ned. ^^Un- 
less we can devise some means to free that 


202 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


line from the shaft, we are in a pretty tight 

‘^How near the surface can you bring the 
boat, Harry?’’ asked Frank. 

‘^The gauges show that we’re about two and 
a half fathoms down at present,” replied 
Harry. have pumped a lot more water out 
than would ordinarily be required to bring us 
to the surface.” 

‘^Then we must be held by that line!” de- 
clared Ned. 

Let’s try some other maneuver with the 
ship before we give up!” put in Jack. ^‘We’re 
not half though our experiments yet!” 

‘‘All right, what’ll you try?” asked Ned in 
a despairing tone. 

“I don’t know,” was the answer. “But we’re 
going to do something to help get us out of 
this fix. How would it do to fill the tanks 
to sink us as far as we can go? Then we could 
empty them in a hurry, which would make 
the boat rise swiftly. The jounce would per- 
haps break the line and let us up so we could 
get some fresh air.” 

“If we don’t get some fresh air pretty soon, 
we’ll have to do something desperate. The 
reserve tank is nearly exhausted!” 

In compliance with Jack’s suggestion, the 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


203 


ballast tanks were again filled. Gradually the 
descended to the bottom. As tbe 
deck began to tilt forward, as it bad done 
when the craft was first stopped, Harry threw 
into operation every pump that could be used 
to empty the water from the ballast tanks. The 
boat rose rapidly. 

With a jerk that nearly threw the boys ofi 
their feet, the ‘‘U-13’’ came to a rest. The 
gauges still showed the same depth as before. 

Ned’s face turned ashen as he sank upon a 
locker. The others gathered around him, ex- 
pressing sympathy. The boy was clearly dis- 
tressed. 

“Never mind, Ned!” spoke up Frank. 
“We’re coming out all right! The only trouble 
is that we haven’t tried the right thing yet!” 

“But I can’t seem to think of a thing to do 
in this case,” protested the other. “I’m all 
out of ideas ! I’m sorry that we tried to follow 
that other submarine. I wish we had taken 
Jimmie’s advice!” 

“Never mind that now, Ned. We’re close 
to the surface. If it becomes necessary, I will 
volunteer to be shot out of the torpedo tube. 
I can rise to the surface, swim about until 
I get my wind again, and then dive and cut 
the rope. That will release the whole ship!” 

“Jimmie, that’s awfully good of you to offer 


204 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA{ 


that, but I feel that I should be the one to 
do it,’’ was Ned’s reply. 

‘‘No, sir!” declared Jimmie promptly. 
"“You’re in no condition to attempt anything 
like that. You’re worried, and your heart ac- 
tion is not right just now. My mind is a blank, 
and my heart is as sound as a bullet! I’m 
just the one for the job!” 

As if the matter were understood, Jimmie 
began divesting himself of his clothing. He 
deposited his jacket on the locker beside Ned. 

“Harry,” he said, turning to his chum, 
“will you see that the torpedo tube is con- 
nected up and in working order? You might 
try a discharge for practice. We can spare 
a little of this air!” 

By the time Jimmie had stripped and se- 
cured a knife to a belt about his waist, Harry 
pronounced the tube ready for operation. 

“Now, fellows,” said Jimmie, shaking hands 
with his chums, “there’s about one chance in 
a million that I won’t get through this all 
right. If you are not up to the surface in five 
minutes, you may know that I’ve failed. Then 
you’d better send out another lad!” 

) “Me next!” shouted Jack, beginning to re- 
move his shoes. 

Harry was peering from the heavy glass 
protecting the forward porthole. As Jimmie 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


205 


stepped forward to enter the torpedo tube, 
Harry held up a warning hand. He turned 
an anxious face to his friends. 

‘^There’s something outside here!’’ he an- 
nounced in an anxious tone. saw it once, 
but didn’t get a clear view!” 

‘‘What did it look like?” asked Jimmie, 
“Is it alive?” 

“I’m not sure, but I think it’s another sub- 
marine!” 

“Probably the real ‘TJ-13’ come up to look 
us over. Never mind those fellows. I’m going 
ahead and cut this wagon loose!” 

“Wait a minute!” cried Ned. “I see the 
craft over here to starboard. It’s a peculiar 
vessel, too! I think I see a man!” 

“I see him, too!” declared Prank from u 
porthole a short distance aft. “Do you sup- 
pose he’s trying to get us to descend again?’* 

“Maybe that’s it! Let’s try it, anyway!’' 
offered Harry. 

“Go ahead!” agreed Ned in a tone that 
showed he was again taking heart. “Let’s act 
on the suggestion. We can try our scheme 
later!” 

Harry’s hand had already found the levers. 
In a moment the ballast tanks were being filled 
with water. Gradually the vessel sank. 


206 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


As the light grew more dim at the increased 
depth, Jimmie declared he could see the other 
vessel descending at about the same speed. 

Presently the two craft were at the limit of 
their travel. The visitor rested on the deck 
of the Wanderer, while the ‘U-13,’ in which 
the boys were imprisoned, hung again at an 
angle from the line. 

Directly the lads saw the figure that had 
formerly attracted their attention. It was 
climbing the main shrouds of the wrecked 
ship. When the man reached a position level 
with their craft he began making signs and 
motions. In his hand he fiourished a knife. 

‘‘Looks rather bad for us!’^ commented 
J ack. 

“Don’t you get him?” asked Jimmie im- 
patiently. “He understands our predicament 
and intends to help us ! He motioned out that 
he is going to climb the rigging until he can 
find the rope. Then he’ll slide down it until 
he lands on our stern. If we’ll agree not to 
start the engines while he’s there, he’ll cut 
the rope. But we must be ready at the ballast 
tanks to let the vessel settle slowly to the 
deck of the ship, so he can get off and clear 
the line from the propeller!” 

“I don’t believe it!” stated Jack. “I think 
he meant to cut the line as soon as he gets to 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


207 


it and let us settle down slowly. What would 
be the sense of his riding around the ocean 
seated on the stern of a disabled submarine? 
He’s got too much sense for that!” 

Maybe you’re right!” admitted Jimmie. 
‘‘Let’s float the boat on an even keel and see. 
I’m going to dress again!” 

Even as the lad hastened to put on his 
clothes the boys felt a sudden dip made by the 
submarine. Gradually they descended. 

“Hurrah, he did it!” exultantly cried Ned. 
“Now, where has he gone? I do hope he’ll free 
the propeller wheel at once!” 

“We could rise to the surface even if the 
propeller is stuck!” declared Harry. “I can 
pump the ballast all out of the tanks!” 

“But if we do that we’ll have to dive over- 
board to clear the wheel!” protested Frank. 
“I know that water is good and cold!” 

“Wait a minute, boys, and see what the 
fellow does,” cautioned Ned. “Maybe he 
wants to help us, so it wouldn’t be nice to run 
away!” 

“Here he is, now!” cried Jack from his 
position near a porthole. “He’s looking 
through the glass, and making motions 
again!” 

“I know what he wants!” declared Harry. 
“He’s making motions for us to unscrew a 


208 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


pipe! He wants us to let in a lot of the 
ocean!’’ 

Wait a minute, Harry ! ’’put in Ned. ‘‘He’s 
walking toward his own boat. Let’s see what 
^he’s going to do!” 

In a short time their rescuer had reached 
the side of his own vessel. He stepped into 
an open door in the side and disappeared. 

“An air lock!” cried Ned. “Did you see 
that, boys?” 

“Just like the little old Sea Lion we used 
in the China Sea!” 

“Here he comes again with a line!” an- 
nounced Harry. “Now what ? ’ ’ 

The boys heard a hammering and thumping 
near one of the sea cocks. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


209 


CHAPTER XIX 

MACKINDER AGAIN 

Even as the five boys glanced at each other 
with startled and wondering looks, the thump- 
ing ceased abruptly. In a short space it was 
resumed. Instinctively the boys gathered 
near the spot. 

While they stood there trying to determine 
the cause for the strange procedure, the noise 
ceased. They heard a tapping at one of the 
portholes. Jimmie rushed across the com- 
partment to investigate. 

^^Hey, fellows, come over here a minute!’’ he 
called out. 

‘‘What have you found now?” questioned 
Ned, obeying the request. 

“Here’s this chap, and he’s making all sorts 
jbf signals!” 

“That’s funny!” puzzled Ned. “Can you 
make out what he wants?” 

“He’s making his hands go in the strangest 
:j5\ray! I’m sure I can’t interpret such motions 
. unless he wants us to turn around while he 
places a bomb or something close enough to 
blow us out of the water.” 


210 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘I know what lie wants!’’ shouted Harry, 
who had been closely observing the stranger’s 
repetition of the strange motions. ^‘He wants 
us to open the valve leading from that sea 
cock where he has been working!” 

^‘Fine business!” scorned Jimmie. ^^Open 
up the sea cock and let the ocean come run- 
ning all over our nice carpets! I guess not!” 

^H’m going to try it, anyway!” declared 
Harry. ‘Hf a little water does come in, the 
pumps will take care of it before it becomes 
dangerous. At least, it’s well worth trying!” 

‘^Go ahead, then, but don’t blame me if 
anything happens ! ’ ’ 

Harry moved to the vicinity of the spot 
where the stranger had been occupied but 
a few moments before. Jimmie was at the 
porthole. 

A turn of the valve resulted in a sudden 
short inrush of water. 

This ceased abruptly, bringing forth an ex- 
ultant cry from Harry, while the other boys 
crowded around, speculating on the cause. 

‘H’ve got it!” cried Harry, dancing about 
the compartment. know what he’s going 
to do. Go to the porthole, Jimmie, and see 
where our friend is now. Tell me just what 
he’s doing. I’m going to stand guard over 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


211 


this valve here for a while in case something 
happens.’’ 

‘^He’s going back into his little cage!” 
stated Jimmie from his position. ^^He’s just 
shutting the outer door.” 

Stand by to see something happen now, 
boys!” announced Harry. 

“What’s going to happen, Harry *?” asked 
Jack. 

Before Harry could answer, a sputter of 
water and air was observed at the open valve. 
A small quantity of water was blown out of 
the pipe. Following this came a rush of 
sweet, pure air that was very grateful to the 
boys after they had been using the vitiated at- 
mosphere of their craft. 

In fact, the lads were much nearer the com- 
plete exhaustion of their supply of usable at- 
mosphere than they really comprehended. 

“Um-m-m!” exclaimed Jimmie, inhaling 
great draughts of the incoming current. 
“Smell that, will you? It’s just like a posy] 
bed!” 

“That’s quite remarkable!” declared Ned, 
as he, too, sniffed the new atmosphere. “It 
does really seem to carry the odor of flowers!” 

“Maybe it’s a sort of gas that he’s unload- 
ing on us to render us unconscious, so he can 
capture the whole outflt!” conjectured Jack. 


212 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


don’t believe it!” protested Ned. ‘‘I’m 
quite convinced that this is pure air. He 
seems to have quite a lot of it stored up!” 

“Let’s pump out some of this foul air and 
change with the new!” 

“Go ahead!” consented Ned. “It’s a good 
move, I’m sure!” 

In a short time the boys began to feel the 
e:ffects of the inflow of vitalized atmosphere. 
They were livelier, with less depression. 

Directly their attention was attracted to the 
porthole again by a tapping. The stranger 
was once more trying to convey some infor- 
mation by signs. He repeated the motions 
of a short time before. 

“I got you!” cried Harry, holding up a hand 
as a sign of understanding. “He wants us 
to shut the valve off. Perhaps he’s given us 
all the nice fresh air that he feels it possible to 
spare!” 

“Shut the valve, then,” directed Ned. 

“What’s next?” spoke up Jimmie, listening 
to a slight hammering outside of the hull. 
“He’s disconnecting the pipe now!” 

“Better wait a bit and see what he wants 
us to do,” cautioned Ned. “Maybe he’s going 
to cut the line out of our propeller.” 

The lad’s prediction was correct. In a very 
few moments they could hear the stranger 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


213 


working away at the encumbering line which 
held their propeller in a vise-like grip. 

Not many minutes passed before the 
stranger again appeared at the porthole. 
Making a few signals easily comprehended by 
all, he repaired to his own craft, entering and 
closing the door of the air lock. 

Almost immediately the other craft began 
to ascend perpendicularly. 

‘‘Guess we may as well make a mooch! 
stated Jimmie, as he watched the other sub- 
marine rise out of their range of vision. 
“We’re done here!” 

“All right, let’s get going!” agreed Harry, 
stepping toward the levers and preparing to 
start the motors at the pilot’s command. 

At once Jimmie sprang to the wheel. He 
gave a pull at the bell cord, jangling out a 
“go ahead” signal to Harry. As the latter 
touched the levers a startling crash at the 
stern of the craft was heard. 

The motors spun the shaft around futilely 
without making headway. 

With blanched faces the lads glanced about 
the craft. Harry’s hand instinctively sought 
the levers again to turn off the current. 

“What’s the matter?” called Jimmie from 
his position. 


214 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


don’t know!” declared Harry. ‘Ht 
sounded as if that fellow had tied a can to us 
and we’d set it going! What did he do?” 

‘‘Let’s pump the ballast out and rise 
straight to the surface,” suggested Ned. “I 
noticed that he did that. Maybe there’s a 
reason!” 

Harry lost no time in acting on this sug- 
gestion. The electric pumps were not long in 
emptying the ballast tanks. With this weight 
removed, the boat quickly shot upward to the 
surface. 

As the conning tower portholes rose above 
the surface, the boys noticed that the after- 
noon was far spent. Darkness already was 
gathering. 

Ned was working frantically at the clamps 
securing the hatch cover. With a cry of de- 
light he swung the cover out of position, ad- 
mitting a cool breeze. The wind had died 
down, leaving the surface of the ocean com- 
paratively smooth. Sufficient breeze was mov- 
ing, however, to serve the purpose of airing 
out the interior of the craft without putting 
the great fans into commission. All the boys 
came to the tiny deck. 

Lying but a few fathoms from their port 
side they discerned the other submarine. 
Clearly distinguishable on the sides were the 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


215 


great letters ^^U-13” painted in almost exact 
duplicate of those on their own boat. 

‘‘What do you know about that"?” was Jim- 
mie’s surprised exclamation. “If that fellow 
isn’t a dead ringer for this ship, I’m a Dutch- 
man!” 

“He surely does look a whole lot like us!” 
agreed Ned. 

“I say, Prank,” put in Harry eagerly, “is 
that the fellow that sank the ship you were 
on? Can you identify it now?” 

Frank shook his head hesitatingly before 
he answered slowly: “Boys, I hate to say it, 
but it looks as like the other as two peas. I 
would not like to make an affidavit, but I’m 
willing to say that it bears a most remarkable 
resemblance to that other one, if it is ‘other’!” 

“Then, I guess we’re done for!” despaired 
Jack. “If that’s a German craft, we may as 
well hoist the white flag now and surrender!” 

“Think they’ll take us back to Germany?” 
asked Ned quizzically. 

“I’m sure of it!” declared the boy. “And 
we won’t stand much show, either, when they 
find that we’ve stolen this ship away from 
Helgoland!” 

“Goodness!” exclaimed Ned suddenly. “I 
declare I’d actually forgotten that we were on 


216 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


board a stolen submarine. That does make 
it look rather dubious for us. We are in a 
pretty mess!’’ he added. 

‘‘Here comes someone now!” announced 
Jimmie. “Watch the hatch!” 

A movement of the hatch cover on the other 
vessel indicated that someone was about to ap- 
pear on deck. Slowly a figure stepped forth. 

The stranger was of medium build, and wore 
a suit of blue with a roimd hat to match. He 
was carefully dressed. After taking a long 
survey of the group on the deck of the false 
“U-13,” he waved a hand in welcome. 

“He wants us to come over and pay him a 
visit!” stated Jimmie. 

“Why don’t you accept, then?” inquired 
Ned. “We’re into it now and may as well 
be sociable. Being balky won’t help matters 
any!” 

“I would if we had a boat,” announced the 
other. 

“Maybe the real ‘U-13’ there has a boat 
they’d spare,” suggested Jack. “Why don’t 
you hail and ask him if he won’t send a boat?” 

“Hail him yourself if you want to! Maybe 
he don’t talk English!” 

“Try him on United States then!” laughed 
Jack. “I would!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


217 


^‘Help yourself!’’ said Jimmie, leaning back 
against the rail. 

‘‘Ahoy the submarine!” shouted Jack in re- 
sponse to this suggestion. ‘‘We haven’t a 
boat or we’d come over. Can you send a boat 
to us?” 

Waving an arm as if comprehending the 
lad’s statement and inquiry the figure on 
the other vessel clambered quickly to the after 
deck. After a moment’s fumbling at what ap- 
peared to be a lock, he lifted a cover. In a 
short time the boys saw him drag from its 
place a small, light, steel boat. 

This was at once launched over the side. 
Running out upon a light iron ladder the man 
dropped into the rowboat. He sculled the 
small craft quickly over the intervening dis- 
tance and was soon alongside. 

“Come aboard, sir,” invited Ned, reaching 
out a hand to assist. 

“Good night!” ejaculated Jimmie. “How 
did you ever get here so quickly, Mackinder? 
We thought you were aboard that warship!” 

“I’ve been here a long time!” laughed the 
other, looking at the lad. 

“You’ve made a quick trip, all right!” re- 
turned Jimmie. 

The others crowded forward with eager, 


218 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA;; 


questioning looks. Upon the face of each was 
to be seen amazement, wonder and perplexity. 

‘‘Come aboard, Mackinder,” invited Ned. 
“We’d like to hear an explanation of the 
strange goings on hereabouts. Can you help 
us?” 

“First, I’d like to hear your explanations,” 
stated the newcomer. “But before you start 
your story, please tell me why you call me 
Mackinder.” 

“Isn’t that your name?” asked Jimmie, 
“Tell us that!” 

“Yes, that’s my name, you know!” replied 
the stranger, smilingly. “But how did you 
happen to know it? I’m rather puzzled, you 
know!” 

“Why, you told us yourself on the train 
running into Amsterdam!” stated Jimmie, 
with rising indignation. “Then we called you 
by that name while you were trying to delay 
our start. Also Captain von Kluck used that 
name when he referred to you. I guess it’s 
your name all right!” 

“I don’t deny that!” stated the newcomer. 
“What puzzles me is how you chaps know it 
so quickly, don’t you know.” 

“It don’t make much difference how we 
know the name so quickly,” went on Jimmie, 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


219 


know you anywhere we saw you. We’d 
especially recognize that hand with the scar! 
That’s a dead giveaway!” 

The newcomer glanced quickly at his right 
hand, which Jimmie had indicated. As he 
brought it up to view, the boys could see 
a jagged scar running clear across the back. 
They had seen such a scar before. 

With an accusing finger pointing at the dis- 
figurement, Jimmie snapped out in crisp ac- 
cents that indicated plainly his excitement: 

That’s the same hand that tied and gagged 
me in the warehouse in Amsterdam, and the 
same hand that I saw shoved into the window 
of the frontier hut to get the ‘U-13’ package. 
Deny it if you can!” 

“I am not going to deny anything, you 
know !” returned the other coolly. ‘ ‘You seem 
so positive about it there’s little use deny- 
ing!” 

“You bet there’s no use denying anything 
like that!” declared Jimmie with some heat. 
“You can’t deny that you tried to sic the 
German torpedo boat destroyer onto us, either. 
You can’t deny that you sneaked away from 
this very submarine when I was painting the 
name on the bow. You’d better not try to 
deny that you showed us to the British gun- 
boat a while ago and got them to fire at us. If 


1220 


BOY SCOUTS m THE NORTH SEA; 


you start denying anything/’ the boy went on, 
going to deny that I’m neutral!” 

With a laugh the newcomer threw back his 
head in amused fashion. 

‘‘Have your own way about it, you know,” 
he replied, “but I’m going to tell you one 
thing. I’m not Mackinder!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


221 


CHAPTER XX 

A MYSTERIOUS CRAFT 

The surprise of the lads at this declaration 
of their visitor was profound. They stared at 
the stranger who bore such a striking resem- 
blance to Mackinder and who had just de- 
clared that he was not that person. Speech- 
less at the apparent untruth, they could only 
stare. 

Seeing their looks of astonishment at his 
declaration, the man laughed loudly, appar- 
ently enjoying hugely the joke that the boys 
could not see. Supporting himself against the 
rail, he gave vent to peals of merriment at the 
expense of the five young lads. 

‘‘So you donT believe me, eh?’’ he inquired 
at length, controlling himself with an effort. 
“I can’t blame you, don’t you know!” 

“Say, Mackinder, you ought to be in vaude- 
ville!” declared Jimmie in reply. “For a 
lightning change artist, you’re decidedly it!” 

“Thank you!” acknowledged Mackinder, 
choosing to accept the boy’s words as a com- 
pliment. “You ’re almost too kind, don ’t you 
know!” 


222 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘And then,” the boy went on, “as a mono- 
logue artist, you’d certainly have them all 
backed off the boards. I know a place in New 
York where you could draw down your two 
fifty per without half trying!” 

“An engagement, do you mean?” queried 
the man, with interest. 

“Just that!” stated Jimmie. “And then, 
there’s another place up the Hudson a ways 
where you ought to be making little ones out 
of big ones. They give a fellow a long en- 
gagement there and supply costumes!” 

“All of which means that you’re spoofing 
me a bit, don’t you know!” returned their visi- 
tor without resentment. He was apparently 
enjoying the situation hugely, and meant to 
make the most of it. 

Seeing that his words failed to arouse or 
draw out the other, Jimmie turned disgustedly 
away to lean over the rail. 

Ned began to question their guest, but was 
interrupted by Jimmie, who announced that 
he saw a steamer’s smoke on the horizon. 

“This water is quite thickly sprinkled with 
vessels of all sorts,” said the alleged Mackin- 
der. “Perhaps we’d better get out, you 
know!” 

“What do you make that vessel out to be?” 
asked Ned. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


223 


doesn’t make any difference what it is,” 
replied the other, ‘^we shall be better off if 
they don’t find us! We don’t need them!” 

‘Wery well,” put in Jimmie, ‘‘then we’ll 
get up steam on this wagon and slide along. 
I’m going to say this to you, though, that 
Mackinder or no Mackinder, we’re very grate- 
ful for your help. If we get an opportunity 
to reciprocate, we’ll be only too glad to do it!” 

With this, the boy turned and offered his 
hand to the man. It was grasped with a hearty 
grip that conveyed a sense of friendliness. 

“You can help me right now,” was the re- 
sponse. “Come aboard my vessel and give 
me a hand on a little project I have under 
way.” 

“I don’t think we’d better do that right 
now,” stated Jimmie. “You see, we’re neu- 
tral, and we don’t want to take sides either 
way!” 

“So am I neutral! I care nothing for this 
awful war except to see it stop. I shall do 
nothing for either side, so rest easy on that 
score. But your propellor is broken by having 
that line jammed in it. You cannot navigate 
your vessel, and would better come aboard 
mine!” 

Doubting this statement, Jimmie clambered 


224 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


into the small boat and sculled toward the 
stern of the false There he could look 

into the water to a depth sufficient to confirm 
the other’s statement. 

‘^It’s no use, boys,” he declared, returning 
to the conning tower. ‘^The blades of the pro- 
peller are damaged beyond use. We might as 
well go!” 

Securing a line to the bow of the false‘‘TJ-13” 
the man proposed to tow it to a safe place 
where it could be anchored to await repairs. 
Two trips were necessary to transfer the boys 
to the craft which had been of such signal ser- 
vice in their hour of extreme need. 

Led by their recent guest, who was now 
their host, the lads descended into the interior 
of the vessel. Here a strange sight met their 
gaze. In cages canaries were twittering gaily 
while all about the bulkheads had been fast- 
ened pots of plants, some of which were in 
bloom. 

‘‘Now I understand why the air you so kind- 
ly pumped into our vessel had the odor of 
flowers and growing things! ’’declared Ned as 
he turned to their host. “You have things 
fixed pretty cozy here!” 

“Just a touch now and again to make it look 
home-like ! ’ ’ said the man. ‘ ‘ I prefer the sight 
of a flower to that of a cold steel bulkhead. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


225 


Besides, it’s more healthful to have a few 
plants about.” 

Harry was lost in admiration of the ma- 
chinery which he declared to be far superior 
to that of the vessel they had lately aban- 
doned. 

With a touch their strange host sent the 
craft forward at a good speed. He explained 
to the lads a gyroscope arrangement by which 
he controlled the steering gear that kept the. 
vessel on any chosen course and at any de- 
sired depth after once being adjusted. 

^‘And now, if you please, Mr. Mackinder,” 
questioned Jimmie at length, ‘‘will you be sa 
good as to tell us what your mission may be?” 

“Certainly!” replied the other frankly. “I 
see the steamer is not following us so I will 
take plenty of time to give you details.” 

‘ ‘ Thanks ! ’ ’ drily responded the lad. “We ’ll 
appreciate it!” 

With a laugh the man seated himself on a 
locker and motioned the lads to do likewise. 
They listened intently as he proceeded: 

“You perhaps all realize that the posses- 
sion of wealth is the desire of almost every 
human being. I am not different from the 
rest in that respect at least. Owing to some 
family trouble which I shall not at this time 


226 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


detail, I was not given the advantages that 
accrue ordinarily to heirs. I think you will 
understand what I mean?’’ 

‘‘You were left out in the cold when they 
passed the dough?” asked Jimmie with a 
knowing look. “Just shoved one side?” 

‘ ‘ That ’s about it ! ” replied the man. ‘ ‘ But I 
resolved to get some money, nevertheless. I 
had a fertile imagination, some education and 
a very small amount of money. I did not want 
to take so cheap a way as to rob or cheat my 
fellow men. I was not shrewd enough to enter 
the business world. Therefore, I turned my 
attention to lost or buried treasure.” 

Jimmie delivered a broad wink toward Ned. 
It was not lost by their observant entertainer, 
who laughed much to the boy’s confusion. 

“Amongst other inventions that were in 
my brain was an instrument for detecting the 
presence of gold similar to the instrument 
called a compass. In this instance electricity 
had nothing to do with its action. 

“To make a long story short, you know, I 
finally succeeded in perfecting the arrange- 
ment. It was an amusing circumstance that 
I had a very hard struggle preserving my last 
gold piece with which to test the device,” he 
went on with a laugh at the recollection of his 
trials. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


227 


“At last, I thought I had my instrument 
perfected. I next needed only something on 
which to practice. With my precious treasure 
carefully guarded I succeeded in reaching the 
Gulf of Mexico, where it is said so much pirate 
gold has been buried. Wonderful to relate, I 
actually located and recovered a small amount. 
It was not large but helped me to fit out a ves- 
sel in which to make other cruises.” 

“And it really worked^” inquired Jimmie 
in a tone of unbelief. 

“How well I shall presently demonstrate, 
you know,” was the reply. “But I found that 
the crew was tricky. They helped me get a 
treasure aboard then calmly turned pirates 
themselves and ran away with the treasure. 
For nearly a year I had hard luck. Then I 
succeeded in locating a large sum of gold that 
had been buried by a man’s grandfather. 

“My past experiences had taught me that 
I could not trust anyone. Therefore I deter- 
mined to prosecute my search in other chan- 
nels. 

“Piece by piece in different shops I had 
this vessel constructed after my own designs. 
The pieces were assembled in a part of the 
Gulf of Mexico little frequented. There I 
tried out the undersea boat, named it the 
‘U-13’ — the ‘U’ standing for Undersea and 


228 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


the ‘13’ in defiance of the popular supersti- 
tion. But I found a new difficulty. 

“The instrument, although working per- 
fectly on land, was not reliable imder the 
ocean, for as you know there is a large 
amount of suspended gold in sea water. That 
made the instrument unreliable.” 

“What did you want to go imder water for, 
anyway*?” asked Ned. 

“Gold!” was the curt reply. “So I had to 
construct another device that would neutral- 
ize the local attraction of the sea water just 
on the same principle that the mariner has the 
two iron balls near his compass to overcome 
the local attraction on his vessel. 

“Then I was prepared to pursue my quest 
for treasure undisturbed. My first venture 
was the recovery of a large sum from a sunken 
ship in Havana harbor. This provided me suf- 
ficient funds so that I put stores aboard and 
came across to seek for the vessels of the 
Spanish Armada.” 

“How did you get across the Atlantic?” 
asked Jimmie incredulously. 

‘ ‘ In this vessel ! ’ ’ was the reply. ‘ ‘ And most 
of the way under water, too, you know! I 
didn’t want anyone to see me!” 

“But you had to come up once in a while 
to get air!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


229 


‘‘Oh, no! Here is a contrivance,’’ indicat- 
ing a huge box-like affair, “with which I sep- 
arate the oxygen from the hydrogen by elec- 
tricity. Water, as you know, is composed of 
two gases — oxygen and hydrogen. Two atoms 
of hydrogen combined with one atom of oxy- 
gen and make a tiny bit of water. By the 
aid of this special device I segregate the two 
gases, use the oxygen and discharge the hydro- 
gen overboard.” 

“I’m going to take my hat off to you!” de- 
clared Jimmie. “But you had to have some 
means to prevent discomfort from the storage 
batteries!” 

“Not with these!” smiled the other. “I’m 
using, without permission, of course, a new 
storage battery that does away with the lead- 
sulphuric acid type of battery. The inventor 
is a man whose name is familiar to you all. 
He uses a nickel, iron oxide and steel combi- 
nation in a solution of potash. This battery 
instead of causing inflammation or even prov- 
ing deadly as is the case with the old type, 
is actually a beneflt to a person. It is exactly 
opposite in its effect to the old style.” 

“And you manage to make a cruise of days 
and days under water?” 

“Surely!” smiled their host. “There’s 
nothing to prevent it!” 


230 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA* 


‘‘That’s going some!” declared Jimmie. 
“But I don’t believe you managed to dig up a 
lot of gold from the bottom of the ocean!” 

“What is there to hinder?” questioned the 
other. 

“Everything!” declared Jimmie. “In the 
first place there is all the water about. Then, 
too, it would be easier to take this instrument 
into the regions where gold is usually discov- 
ered on land. You could prospect with it in 
almost the positive knowledge that you would 
locate a vein. Digging then would be easy.” 

“Yes, but I don’t like to dig!” laughed the 
other. “Perhaps I’m too lazy to do that sort 
of thing!” 

“There’s something queer here that I don’t 
quite get,” stated Jimmie. “Can’t you ex- 
plain a little more in detail?” 

“Why, certainly, I’ll be glad to elucidate!” 
was the answer. “You have in mind the se- 
curing of free gold in nuggets and dust. I go 
about it in quite another way. My purpose is 
to recover the minted coins that have been 
placed aboard ships. When the ships sink, no 
diver yet has been able to reach those in deep 
water. Therefore, most of the gold that has 
been carried to the bottom in sunken vessels 
is forever lost. I intend to recover a great 
deal of it!” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


231 


^‘Then when you know approximately 
where the vessel was wrecked or sunk,’’ put 
in Ned, ‘‘you go to that neighborhood. Your 
instrument indicates the presence of gold and 
you follow its directions until the exact spot 
is reached. Then you step out and carry the 
money aboard your own craft. Is that the cor- 
rect explanation?” 

“You have it exactly. And I have done 
pretty well so far!” 

“I don’t believe it!” declared Jimmie flatly. 
“The whole thing sounds mighty fishy — ^not 
meaning any disrespect,” he added addressing 
the man who sat leaning back against a bulk- 
head. 

“But I assure you that what I have said is 
absolutely true!” 

“I’m from Missouri!” stated Jimmie in a 
tone of doubt. 

Their host stepped to a locker which he 
opened. 

“Great Frozen Hot Boxes!” cried Jimmie. 


232 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XXI 

A MYSTERY EXPLAINED 

boys, look at this!’’ cried Jimmie, 
his voice rising to a shriek then trailing off into 
a whisper. ‘‘Did you ever see the like?” 

“Let’s see!” put in Frank, crowding for- 
ward. “What is it?” 

Eagerly the boys gathered around the open 
compartment. They heard distinctly the tin- 
kle of coins as Jimmie seized a handful and let 
them slip one by one back into place. Again 
and again the boy dived his hands into the 
yellow mass of metal. He raised handfuls of 
coin to look at them a moment, then let them 
drop from his grasp. 

“Good Night!” he ejaculated at length, 
turning a round-eyed face to the man who 
stood smiling beside the group. “Why, you 
must have enough here to buy a farm and 
build a fence clear around it!” 

“Quite likely I have!” declared the other 
quietly. “But there are two or three other 
wrecked vessels that I wish to visit before I 
stop. I have the exact locations charted and 
have examined the interiors.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


233 


^^Why didn’t you take the gold away with 
you, then?” 

‘‘For the very simple reason that I found 
one pair of hands not enough to perform the 
task. I could have taken the gold away from 
the sunken wrecks, but the matter of getting 
it ashore was another thing!” 

“Why, what’s to prevent?” asked Ned won- 
deringly. 

“Several things!” declared the other. “In 
the first place the peculiar phase of human na- 
ture that makes every man mad when he sees 
a lot of money would operate against my plan 
of taking the gold ashore. Who could I hire 
to move the heavy stuff with any assurance 
of their honesty if they once found out what 
might be in the packages?” 

“That’s so!” admitted Ned thoughtfully. 
“Human nature is crooked!” 

“My plan has been to find some one who 
needs the money and who would work on a 
percentage basis — share and share alike. We 
can then get the money ashore, negotiate the 
older coins that possess more than their face 
value, bank the current coins and be prepared 
to use the wealth exactly as we see fit. So 
long as it remains under water it is safe.” 

“But I can’t understand how you get it 
aboard!” declared Jimmie. 


234 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


have a tank of compressed air fixed to 
the back of a special diving suit/’ explained 
the man. ‘‘There’s also a search light and a 
small storage battery provided. In this suit I 
step out through the air lock onto the wreck. 
The rest is easy. I return with the load of 
gold the same way I went out. The subma- 
rine is anchored. The whole thing is simple ! ’ 

“Sure enough!” exclaimed Jimmie. “Why 
didn’t I remember our arrangement on the Sea 
Lion? And then, too, we saw you walking 
about on the decks of the Wanderer! I guess 
I’m going daffy!” 

“What do you say, boys, will you join the 
expedition?” 

“We don’t stand much chance of getting 
home right away,” stated Ned. “I guess we 
might as well — ” what he would say was cut 
short by the sound of a cannon shot booming 
through the gathering darkness. 

“What’s that?” inquired Jack anxiously, 
jumping to his feet. 

“I’ll bet it’s that bloomin’ steamer we 
saw!” cried Jimmie. “That must be another 
of those gun boats and they’re chasing us!” 

“I’ll go up to the deck and see!” offered 
Ned. 

“Be careful, don’t let them get you!” 
warned Jack. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


235 


watch out for that,” laughed Ned, 
mounting the iron ladder. 

Directly the little group at the foot of the 
ladder were startled to hear their companion’s 
voice. A note of anxiety vibrated through his 
words. 

^^Boys,” Ned cried, ^Hhere’s a gunboat out 
there, and I think I see another submarine. 
It looks to be like the ^U-13’ for all the world. 
What shall we do?” 

^^Here,” urged Jimmie, ‘Hake the glasses 
and have a good look. If it is that Dutchman, 
I’m for beating it out of here mighty quick!” 

For a tense moment Ned gazed through the 
glasses at the strange vessels. At length he 
lowered the binoculars and turned toward his 
companions. With a shake of his head and a 
quick indrawing of breath, he said : 

“It’s the ‘D-13’ as sure as can be!” 

“Let’s go!” was Jimmie’s only comment as 
he turned toward the switchboard with out- 
stretched hand. 

“I’m with you!” declared Ned, quickly de- 
scending the ladder to join the group. “Go 
ahead slow, though. Don’t break the hawser, 
or we’d lose the other vessel.” 

“Perhaps we would do better to abandon 
your vessel,” Mackinder suggested as he pre- 


236 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


pared to go on deck. ‘ ‘ Let me have the glasses, 
if von please. I’ll look them over.” 

Jimmie paused, with his hand on the starting 
switch. 

Suddenly all were startled by a cry from 
their host. 

^^Go ahead! go ahead!” he shouted down 
the hatchway. ‘‘That other fellow has 
launched a torpedo at us!” 

“Let go the line, then !” urged Ned. “We’ll 
have to run for it! Full speed, Jimmie!” he 
added. 

Mackinder was casting off the hawser with 
rapid motions. Jimmie, in response to Ned’s 
•command, threw the switch over. The “ U-13 ” 
began to gather headway. 

All were startled to hear the report of a 
cannon shot. This was followed almost in- 
stantly by a shriek from the man on deck. 

“Mackinder’s hit!” gasped Ned, turning a 
blanched face to his chums. “What shall we 
do?” 

As if in answer to his query, the voice of 
Mackinder reached the ears of the lads. 

“Bring an axe!” he shouted. “I’m fast in 
the bight!” 

Wrenching an axe from its pocket on the 
bulkhead, Ned sprang up the ladder at his 
best speed. On deck he found Mackinder 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


237 


caught in a bight of the hawser by which the 
other vessel had been towed. His leg was 
jammed against the fairleader. Only one 
glance was required to show the boy that seri- 
ous injury had been done. 

Without waiting for words, the lad stepped 
to the side of the fallen man. Swinging his 
axe quickly, he struck at the taut bond of hemp. 
A shower of sparks followed the ringing thud 
of the axe upon the steel deck. 

Mackinder dropped back upon the deck, 
limp and helpless, as the singing of the parted 
line told of his release. 

With tender solicitude the boys mounted the 
ladder to assist their injured friend to the room 
below. Scarcely had the boys gained the deck 
when they were startled by a terrific explosion. 
As Ned afterward declared, it seemed as if 
they had been caught in a volcano of water. 

‘‘What has happened?” queried Jack, re- 
leasing his hold upon Mackinder. 

A flood of sea water descending upon the 
little deck prevented an answer to his question. 
In a moment the lads were able to look about. 

“Where’s our ‘U-13’?” asked Harry. 

“Gone!” stated Ned, his voice trembling. 
“I’ll bet that German torpedoed it ! I’m glad 
we are on this ‘U-13’!” 


238 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


Echoing this sentiment, the lads hastily pro- 
ceeded to lower Mackinder through the hatch- 
way. This done, the injured man was depos- 
ited on a couch, the hatch was closed, and Ned 
began first-aid ministrations. 

‘‘What course shall I hold?” asked Jimmie. 

“Better head on a southwest course,” stated 
Ned, briefly glancing up from his work over 
Mackinder’s leg. 

“I can do that all right,” responded Jimmie. 
“The gunboat and the submarine can fight it 
out alone.” 

“WeVe got a clear field, Jimmie, so shove 
the little wagon along for all she’s worth,” put 
in Jack. 

Mackinder had been exercising wonderful 
command of himself, but in spite of his best 
efforts a groan now and again escaped. The 
injured leg was proving a painful matter. 

“We’ll do all we can for you, Mackinder,” 
Ned offered, “but we need better skill than is 
available here. Would it not be best to make 
at once for some port where we can secure the 
services of a surgeon?” 

Mackinder’s only reply was a nod. His 
teeth were closed tightly to suppress the cry 
of anguish from his hurt. 

“Keep on the surface, boys,” urged Ned as 
he went about making the man comfortable 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


239 


with such simple means as were at hand. 
believe we are not far from the coast.” 

Surrendering the wheel to Frank, and with 
Jack at the engines, Jimmie insisted upon 
mounting to the deck again to look about them. 

Cool and sweet the air gushed down the little 
open hatchway upon the injured man. Under 
its influence and aided by the ministrations of 
Ned, the proprietor of the third ^^U-13” rap- 
idly gained control of himself. 

‘‘Head west southwest,” he instructed Ned. 
“We’ll be mighty apt to And the mouth of the 
Thames on that course. There are many places 
I’d rather go, but you are right — we must 
have a surgeon!” 

Giving the course to Harry, Ned proceeded 
to do everything in his power to ease the hurt 
of their friend. 

“On deck, there!” announced Jimmie pres- 
ently, his face at the hatchway. 

“Hello!” answered Ned. “What is it?” 

“I see a light about a point off the port 
bow!” 

“What do you make it out to be?” 

“I think it is a lighthouse!” declared 
Jimmie. 

‘ ‘ Margate ! ’ ’ murmured Mackinder. “We 
are safe enough now, but be careful about the 
money, boys!” 

“Sail ho!” rang out Jimmie’s voice again. 


240 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XXII 

MOKE MYSTERY 

‘^What do you see now, Jimmie?’’ asked 
Ned anxiously, stepping to the foot of the 
ladder. 

‘‘There’s a small steamer coming up rapidly 
from the starboard side,” replied the lookout. 

“Perhaps we’d better dive again,” suggested 
Ned. 

“Aw, go on!” protested Jimmie. “What’s 
the use of diving every time anything comes 
along ? We ’re neutral 1 ’ ’ 

“We are, yes,” agreed Ned, “but this ‘U-13’ 
name is not neutral, and if the steamer is an 
English vessel they’ll probably not stop to ask 
questions.” 

“Why not swing a white light at ’em, then?” 

“That’s a good idea, too !” agreed Ned. “If 
they seem to be heading toward us, just get a 
white flag going.” 

“They are not showing any light at all,” 
announced Jimmie. “They’re just sneaking 
along like an express train.” 

“Let us know at once if anything happens,” 
Ned responded, turning back to his patient. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OF U-13 


241 


The boys had not long to wait. 

Out of the gathering darkness Jimmie saw 
a burst of flame which lighted up a portion 
of the approaching steamer. A bright flash in 
a wave some distance in advance of the ‘‘U-13” 
next attracted his attention. The sharp roar 
of a cannon came to the ears of all. 

“Are they shooting at us ?” asked Ned, again 
approaching the ladder. 

“Don’t know!” Jimmie replied briefly. “I 
saw the flash and heard the noise. There was 
a splash some distance ahead of us in the water. 
Maybe they can’t aim straight.” 

Ned mounted the rungs of the ladder with- 
out further delay. He closed his eyes as he 
did so, the better to accommodate his vision to 
the change from the light below to the dark- 
ness outside. In a moment he was peering in 
the direction indicated by Jimmie. 

“Can you make her out?” 

“Yes,” replied Ned. “I can just see a sort 
of thick place in the darkness. My eyes will 
be all right soon.” 

“I don’t believe they were shooting at us at 
all!” commented Jimmie, musingly. “They 
can’t see us!” 

As if to disprove this statement, another 
flash lighted up the forward portion of the 
other vessel. 


242 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


Ned grasped Jimmie’s arm and pointed 
straight ahead. 

Skipping from wave to wave, throwing up a 
fountain of spray from each, the shot from the 
steamer plowed its way across the path of the 
^^U-13,” passing so close that the boys were 
struck by the fljdng drops of water. 

‘‘That means that we are to stop!” declared 
Ned. “Next time they’ll shoot at us!” 

“And hit us, too !” excitedly put in the other. 

Without waiting for orders from Ned, the 
lad leaned over the coaming of the little hatch. 

“Shut her off. Jack!” he cried. “Back on 
your engines. That guy thinks we are Ger- 
mans!” 

Jack at once complied with the request, and 
soon the “U-13” was gently rolling in the 
trough of the sea. 

Frank sprang from the wheel to the lad- 
der, mounting to the deck just as a beam of 
flame from a powerful searchlight aboard the 
steamer swept the “TJ-13” from end to end. 

In the glare of the light the three boys stood 
plainly visible. They could not, however, dis- 
tinguish the details of the other vessel because 
of the flaming eye regarding them with un- 
winking stare. 

^ For a few moments they stood close to each 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


243 


other, uncertain what to do. At length a voice 
hailed them. 

^‘Submarine, ahoy! What vessel is that*?’’ 

‘'Shall I tell them our namel” asked Ned 
anxiously. 

“No,” urged Jimmie. “Don’t say ‘U-13M” 

“They’ve seen it on the side, anyhow!” 
scorned Prank. 

‘ ‘ Don ’t let them think we ’re Germans. Don ’t 
you see they’re English?” queried Jimmie. 

“It doesn’t signify they’re English, even if 
they do speak the language,” returned Ned. 
“Can’t you answer?” 

“Ahoy, there!” came an impatient voice. 

“Steamer, ahoy!” replied Ned. “We’re a 
peaceful submarine manned by neutral non- 
combatants!” 

“A likely yarn, indeed!” laughed the 
stranger. ‘ ‘ Stand by to receive a boat. I shall 
send an ofScer aboard to investigate.” 

‘ ' All right. Captain, ’ ’ consented Ned. “ Glad 
to meet you!” 

Still standing under the unwinking eye (5f 
the searchlight, the little group waited expec- 
tantly for the arrival of the boarding party. 

A splash of oars preceded the boat which 
soon shot out of the darkness. 

In another moment an officer in uniform had 
moimted the little deck. Wonderingly he 


244 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


glanced about the group, now augmented by; 
the arrival of Jack and Harry. 

‘‘Where is your commander?” he inquired 
somewhat stiffly, addressing no one in par- 
ticular. 

Indicating Ned, the boys silently waited. 

“Are you in charge of this vessel?” asked 
the officer, with just a trace of amusement. 

“I am and I am not,” replied Ned, with 
dignity. 

“That’s very enlightening, I’m sure,” re- 
turned the other. “But time is short, and I 
must see the person who is in charge, and that 
at once.” 

“The owner is lying in the cabin with a 
broken leg which he received as we were escap- 
ing from a German submarine,” explained 
Ned. “We boys are trying to get to some port 
where we can secure the services of a surgeon. ” 

“Oh,” exclaimed the officer, “escaping from 
a German?” 

“Yes, sir. They torpedoed another sub- 
marine that we were towing, and in casting off 
the towing line the gentleman below was caught 
in the line. His leg is badly broken.” 

“Who is this other person?” 

“He gave us the name of Mackinder.” 

A frown settled over the face of their ques- 
tioner. Stepping forward, with flashing eyes 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


245 


he addressed Ned in a low voice vibrant with 
emotion. 

‘‘Now, if you have all the lies out of your 
system,’^ he gritted, “we’ll listen to the real 
story.” 

“That is the real story!” protested Ned. 
“Step below, if you don’t believe me, and you 
may see for yourself.” 

“We have already seen enough to discredit 
such a wild yarn as that!” declared the other. 
“Too many of our brave sailors have been 
killed and set adrift by the ‘U-13.’ Besides^ 
the man you mention is certainly not in the 
cabin. I can swear to that. Now, will you 
tell me the truth?” 

“I say. Mister,” put in Jimmie, “suppose 
you go fifty-fifty with us. Who are you, and 
what right have you to stop us?” 

A short laugh was the man’s only answer. 
He turned to hail the vessel from which he 
had just come. 


246 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


CHAPTER XXIII 

THE MYSTEEY OF THE 

Ahoy his hail rang out over the waters. 
‘‘Send another boat aboard us. I will transfer 
the crew of this vessel!’’ 

“Yes, you will!” scornfully replied Jimmie. 
“You’ll do a lot, you wiU. We have something 
to say about that ! ’ ’ 

“I am more astonished than I can say,” the 
officer replied as he gazed at the lad. “I had 
supposed that Boy Scouts would not under any 
circumstances lend themselves to a project of 
an unworthy character.” 

“Well, who has done all that?” bristled 
Jimmie, wrinkling a freckled nose at the man. 
“You’re taking a lot for granted, I must say! 
Who are you, anyhow?” 

“You’ll find out quickly enough!” was the 
answer. 

Turning at the sound of approaching oars, 
the officer quickly issued a few short com- 
mands. 

In obedience to his orders, the boys were 
required to enter the small boat without even 
an opportunity of going below. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


247 


‘‘Dodson/’ ordered the officer, “take a 
couple of men and search the vessel for others. 
We were informed there were but five, but 
they may have confederates.” 

Wonderingly the lads sat in the boat as they 
were rowed across the intervening distance to 
the steamer. Scarcely had they set foot on 
deck before a line was passed to the submarine 
and the vessel was under way, towing their 
recent habitation. 

An orderly conducted the lads directly to 
the cabin, where they were greeted by an officer 
seated at the head of a table. He arose as they 
entered and extended a hand to each. 

Motioning to seats, the officer again busied 
himself with some papers on the table. For 
some time the boys glanced expectantly at each 
other, waiting for the officer to open the antici- 
pated conversation. 

Impatiently the boys waited, listening to the 
regular throbbing of the steamer’s propellers 
that told they were again under way. 

At length the silence was broken by the ar- 
rival of an orderly. Saluting, he reported 
briefly to the officer. A nod dismissed him. 

“Boys,” began the officer in a kindly tone^ 
“we find ourselves rather puzzled by some mys- 
terious circumstances which we hope you can 
explain. Will you assist us?” 


248 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


‘‘I assume from the looks of things aboard 
that you are English,’’ answered Ned. ‘‘Am I 
correct?” 

“You are. This is a scout vessel doing patrol 
duty along the coast. In common with others, 
we have been on the sharp lookout for a sub- 
marine named ‘U-13,’ which has been doing 
considerable damage to our shipping. W e cap- 
ture it without difficulty, to find it manned by 
Boy Scouts instead of Germans, as we had 
expected. Can you explain that?” 

“Yes!” laughed Ned. “That is easy. The 
boat you have captured is owned by a private 
individual named Mackinder, who has been 
amusing himself in a perfectly innocent pas- 
time. He, like ourselves, is neutral, but un- 
fortunately has gotten into rather compromis- 
ing situations.” 

“Mackinder?” repeated the officer, won- 
deriagly. 

“Yes, sir,” continued Ned. “He rescued us 
from our disabled submarine. He is now 
aboard his vessel with a broken leg.” 

“We had him brought aboard this vessel, 
and find that his leg is really broken,” ex- 
plained the officer. “But,” he continued, 
“you have not quite explained your presence 
on a submarine.” 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


249 


‘ ^ That is easy — ’ ’ began Ned. He was inter- 
rupted by a sign from the officer. 

‘‘Just a moment,” the other said. “We will 
have Mackinder in here, and perhaps he can 
explain a little of the mystery himself.” 

At a command from the man two orderlies 
approached. In a few moments the boys ob- 
served four sailors bearing a mattress upon 
which lay their late host. 

At the same moment a group approached 
from the after part of the cabin. Glancing 
from one group to the other, the boys rose to 
their feet with exclamations of surprise. 

“Well, Great Frozen Hot Boxes!” cried 
Jimmie. “How did you get here, Mackinder?” 

A man from the small group behind the offi- 
cer stepped forward, smiling. 

“I was picked up by the fishing boat you 
probably saw when I swam away from the sub- 
marine you captured. They transferred me 
to this craft. We have since been looking for 
you.” 

“Well, I’m glad to see you, anyway,” re- 
turned the lad. “But you couldn’t prevent 
our leaving Holland, even if you did try good 
and hard. Have you found that package yet ? ” 

The smile quickly faded from the face of the 
other. 


250 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


^‘No, I haven’t,” he answered in a low voice, 
find that you boys have gotten me into a 
lot of trouble, too.” 

‘‘Trouble?” puzzled Ned. “How have we 
done that?” 

“By secreting that package,” explained 
Mackinder. “You see, I was detailed to duty 
on the Holland frontier. When I saw that 
package, and knew that you had recently come 
from the German lines, I assumed, of course, 
that it contained information for the German 
submarine that has been causing so much havoc 
amongst the English shipping. Without wait- 
ing for orders, I tried to follow you and gain 
possession of the object. Now it seems I am 
disobeying regulations by absenting myself 
from my post of duty without leave. Further, 
I was seen aboard or coming from a German 
vessel. Hence circumstances look bad for me. 
I’m due for a court martial as soon as we land 
at Margate, which must be close aboard by 
now.” 

All were startled to hear a groan escape the 
man lying upon the mattress. He had raised 
himself upon one elbow. 

‘ ‘ Oh, Robert ! ” he cried. “Not that ! ’ ’ 

“Tom!” gasped Mackinder. Soon the two 
men were shaking hands at a great rate, tears 
in their eyes. 


OR, THE MYSTERY OP U-13 


251 


Mackinder announced at length, 
must introduce my brother Tom.’’ 

^^We have had the pleasure of meeting the 
gentleman, ’ ’ stated Ned. ' ‘ In fact, we owe our 
lives to his kindness.” 

^‘But, see here,” demanded Jimmie, step- 
;ping forward, ^Hhis needs an explanation. 
Which one of you fellows was at the little cabin 
on the Holland border?” 

Tom Mackinder smiled, in spite of the pain 
of his crushed leg. He turned his glance 
toward his brother, whose hand he held. 

^ ^ We both were there, Jimmie, ’ ’ he said. ‘ ‘ I 
took the package from the window. You see,” 
he continued, ^4t contained plans of my sub- 
marine, with which you are familiar. I tried 
to sell the plans to Germany, but found they 
had beaten me. So upon my return trip I 
slipped the package into your baggage, think- 
ing to escape search and detention at the bor- 
der. I have it here now. ’ ’ 

As he ceased speaking he drew from his 
pocket the same flat package the boys had seen 
before. 

^‘Hurrah!” cried Jimmie. ^‘Now we can 
explain how your brother came to be captured 
by the Germans, and how under his direction 
we stole the other ‘U-13’ and escaped from 
Helgoland.” 


252 


BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTH SEA; 


what you say is true, young man,’’ put 
in the officer, ‘Hhe anticipated court martial 
may never convene.” 

‘‘We can prove it!” protested Jimmie 
vigorously. 

“Then we have solved the Mystery of the 
‘TJ-13’!” declared the officer, with evident 
relief. 

“And now we’ll head for the little old tJ.S.A. 
and peaceful neutrality!” was Jimmie’s joyful 
comment. 

“But you’ll first arrange to care for your 
share of the cargo aboard my boat,” interposed 
the injured Mackinder. 

He would not entertain any of the objections 
raised by the boys, but insisted that they share 
in the treasure which had been recovered from 
the ocean’s grasp. 

A few days later as the boys watched the 
chalk cliffs of Dover slip away into the eastern 
horizon Jimmie turned from the rail of the 
steamer upon which they had taken passage. 

“Good by, England, and good by the Mac- 
kinders,” he said. “I’m glad we are out of 
the war zone at last and that we solved the 
Mystery of the ‘U-13’.” 


THE END 


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